Despite community opposition, Bendigo Health has decided to invite tenders for pathology services. We understand that three providers who responded to the earlier call for expressions of interest have been invited to tender. But in a mixed message, management says that retaining the in-house service is still an option.

However, we do not see the need to go to tender at all, given that over $1M non-labour savings have now been identified in pathology, and given the quality of the current service. As we have seen elsewhere, contracting out is likely to see some tests being sent off-site, increased turn around times and increased co-payments for private patients, among other impacts.

Bendigo Health management has to take responsibility for the way pathology has been run in the past. Where were they when costs of reagents and other inputs were out of control?