Wonthaggi cancer centre holds pride of place as Don says goodbye
IT HAS been an incredible sight for local people to see the beautiful, big façade of the new Wonthaggi Hospital revealed in all its glory over the past few months.
It’s seen as a vote of confidence in the town and confirmation that Wonthaggi will play a very important role in the development of this part of the state over the next 20 years and beyond.
And many took the opportunity of the Wonthaggi Hospital Community Open Day recently to see that the facilities inside match the impressive new regional landmark outside.
And, while there’s been election promises of a further $250-$290 million to be spent at Wonthaggi on an even more extensive Stage Two and Stage Three redevelopment, it’s already "job done" for outgoing Chair of the Board of Bass Coast Health, Don Paproth.
Don is stepping down as chair after seven years at the helm of the sub-regional health service for Bass Coast and South Gippsland and he will pass the baton to his deputy chair, Ian Thompson.
But, within the revolution that has been taking place at Bass Coast Health, if you were to ask Mr Paproth which change undertaken during his time as board chair is his favourite, his answer might surprise.
It would not be the soon to be opened Stage One of the Wonthaggi Hospital Expansion (WHE), although that would run a close second.
When pressed, he speaks most highly of the L Rigby Integrated Care Centre for Cancer Treatment at Wonthaggi Hospital.
"About a decade ago we watched a dear friend of ours, Kevin O'Halloran, struggle through a long battle with pancreatic cancer which he eventually lost. We took turns driving him to Traralgon. The journey wasn’t easy for him and I always thought what a wonderful thing it would be if his chemo could have been delivered in Wonthaggi.
"Well now it is. It's too late for Kevin but it won't be for anyone now or in the future." Mr Paproth said.
The Centre opened in April 2021 with Federal Government financial support sourced by Russell Broadbent plus a significant donation from the Rigby family.
"It was built by local firm, TS Constructions, to a design based on the advice of cancer specialists, actual cancer patients and our own Community Advisory Committee. Patients are now treated in a light and airy space where they can look at the view outside or watch TV.
"Above all, they receive treatment from the best oncologists from The Alfred and Monash hospitals in their local hospital. They don't have to travel to Melbourne or to the Latrobe Valley," Mr Paproth said.
Overall though, Don rates the completion of Stage One of the Wonthaggi Hospital Expansion (WHE), due to open in December, as a game-changer for the Bass Coast and South Gippsland sub-region.
"I look out of the window at this magnificent structure and I'm so thrilled that this is happening,” he said this week.
“Apart from the obviously impressive building itself, the really important elements are not readily apparent to the public.
“For instance, the three new operating theatres are brilliantly designed to maximise natural light. Our surgeons who also operate at major Melbourne hospitals tell us how envious they are of our new facilities.
"There is an old maxim, 'Build it and they will come'. That is certainly proving true with this facility. The number and range of medical specialists that we now have here is staggering and continuing to grow. And their services are free to patients - we are a public hospital."
Playing a major role in the delivery of these and other projects for the community that he loves is of enormous satisfaction to Mr Paproth as he steps down from the board due to personal family reasons.
"I love this community. I went to school at West Creek Primary School where there were seven students and then to Wonthaggi Tech High School.
"I choose to live in this community. This is where my wife, Jennifer, and I want to be, and Bass Coast Health is a vital part of it."
He is proud of BCH's local focus in the services it offers and the economic boost it gives - with more than 1300 employees, BCH is the largest single employer in the local region and is continuing to grow.
"In the long run, Education and Health are the cornerstones of any community. As Bass Coast thrives, we are already an essential part of what the area offers and this will continue to be so in the future."
Mr Paproth knows the value of education well, having made a career in it for 48 years. He was a teacher, a Secondary School Principal, a Deputy Regional Director with responsibility for all of the government schools in the Latrobe Valley, South Gippsland and Bass Coast.
He was also the Director of School Major Projects for all Gippsland and finished his career in education as the chair of the board of The Victorian Institute of Teaching, the body responsible for the registration and regulation of all teachers in Victoria.
"After retiring, I wanted to do something for my local community. I am experienced in governance, so BCH seemed like a good idea."
He joined the board at a time when, let’s be honest, the health service was struggling both financially and in terms of public approval, so much so that it was "On Watch" by the Department of Health.
"The CEO left and soon after the chair left because of ill health. i was asked to become the acting chair after having been on the board for two months.
"Soon after we had the greatest stroke of luck when the Department of Health appointed Jan Child from Peninsula Health as Acting CEO.
"That was nearly seven years ago and she is still there doing a brilliant job. I have never seen anyone with such a capacity to work hard and keep going and going.
“She is supported by a united, skilled and dedicated senior executive team. I could wax lyrical about how good this leadership group is but all you really have to know is that the government has entrusted us with $115 million of public money for the WHE.
"They would not have done that if there were any doubts about the leadership or the future vision for the health service.
"In addition, both Labor and the Coalition have pledged over $250 million to build Stages Two and Three of the WHE," he said.
Mr Paproth also spoke of the staff of BCH in glowing terms.
"The fact that our staff kept this place together over the last few years during COVID is astonishing, and while the project was in full swing. They covered for each other, did that bit extra for our patients and maintained a sense of humour and a sense of duty at all times.
“I take my hat off to them.
"Since Jan Child arrived she has insisted that BCH maintain an unremitting focus on safety and quality. As a board, we have backed her all the way. This hasn't always been popular, particularly with some from outside the health service, but patient welfare always comes first in everything that we do," he said.
Mr. Paproth is leaving two years before his tenure is finished.
"It is difficult to leave but personal circumstances have made it necessary. There are two factors that make it a little easier to go. First, we can look back with pride at what we have achieved over these last seven years and, secondly, I am handing over to someone I trust and believe in completely.
"Ian will do a wonderful job."
Don has already notified the board of his resignation which is due to take effect over the Christmas-New Year period. He goes with the very best wishes of the whole community.