MSAV members at Bendigo Health have welcomed statements by the CEO that Bendigo Health will support the in-house team as it works to improve its financial efficiency. With the appointment of a new manager there is an opportunity to reduce costs of consumables substantially.

MSAV members are concerned that Bendigo Health recently advertised for expressions of interest in operating the pathology service. The closing date for expressions of interest has now passed.

The MSAV is calling on Bendigo Health to allow the in-house team sufficient time to prove that the service can be efficient dollar-wise: there is no argument about the excellent quality of the service and quick turn-around times for test results.

The scientific effort has always been of the highest quality. The MSAV’s concern is that the quality and timeliness of the service will be put at risk if the service is contracted out, with tests being sent away and reduced staff. This has happened in many regional services where pathology has been contracted out, and where the hospitals have little leverage over the contractors.

The Bendigo community has demonstrated its opposition to the contracting out of pathology, with more than 6000 petitions having been signed.