Bayside Health to benefit 1.1 million Victorians
More than one million Victorians will benefit through the formation of the new Bayside Health (working title) – a voluntary merger between Alfred Health, Peninsula Health and Kooweerup Regional Health.
Peninsula Health chief executive Helen Cooper said the merger, which will come into effect from 1 January 2026, is an important step in improving health outcomes for the local community.
“The complementary nature of the three health services means we will be able to provide the full spectrum of care for the 1.1 million people we’ll serve through this network,” Ms Cooper said.
While the final name of the new health service will be considered during the establishment process, its formation is only the first step in this journey.
When complete, Bayside Health will provide ‘one door’ into a full range of existing services which our dedicated team of healthcare workers and other professionals will look to build on. This will include new opportunities for broader community involvement in clinical trials and health research.
“Access to specialist care will become easier and more seamless under Bayside Health,” Ms Cooper added. “The community will enjoy a more connected healthcare experience, and we will continue to deliver the very best of care for everyone, close to home.”
Alfred Health chief executive Adam Horsburgh said the new network will build on existing collaborative relationships across all three organisations and is a natural progression of the journey the health services are already on with community.
“We already provide services across Victoria, including shared patient pathways with Peninsula Health, for a range of services including surgery, neurology and cardiology,” Mr Horsburgh said.
“This positive change is a natural progression to better realise the power of partnership. It will build on the strong history of collaboration between our hospitals and will open greater opportunities to develop care.”
The new health service will span from Melbourne’s south, through Bayside and down through the Peninsula and into Gippsland.
As a first step, Peninsula Health and Kooweerup Regional Health Service will work together over the coming months to bring their two health services together.
Kooweerup Regional Health chief executive Aileen Thoms said the merger has the potential to deliver enormous benefits for its local community.
“Our patients will be able to access specialist care along with clinical trials close to home. This will improve health outcomes, and we look forward to keeping our community updated as we work through this process,” Ms Thoms said.
As we work to bring our health services together, we will actively listen to the voices of our staff, patients and wider community.
The three respective boards approved the voluntary merger in early December, believing that together the health services will be able to deliver better, safer, more accessible and more connected healthcare for the new larger community. The change aligns with the recently released Health Services Plan.
