KERANG and Cohuna hospitals has been whacked with “exploding” WorkCover premiums in the past two years.
Kerang District Health’s premiums soared by 65 per cent, from $119,000 in 2022-23 to almost $200,000 in 2023-24.
At the same time, Cohuna District Hospital’s costs jumped an equally alarming 42 per cent, up from $93,000 to $132,000.
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said hospitals across the electorate had been hit hard, with some having to find more than $400,000 out of already crippled budgets.
“These frightening figures have been revealed as part of analysis of health service annual reports collectively dumped last week in the Victorian Parliament, detailing hospitals across Victoria have paid more than $252 million in WorkCover premiums in 2023-24,” Mr Walsh said.
“That’s an $85 million – or a 51.4 per cent increase – more than the previous 12 months and comes at a time when hospitals are already under siege, when we don’t have enough doctors, we have too much ramping, we have too many waiting lists and we have no money to help resolve these problems, and we definitely don’t have any direction or signs things are going to improve.
“This increase comes after the whopping 42 per cent average hike in WorkCover premiums across the board in 2022-23.
Mr Walsh said hospitals have been under enormous pressure having to find the additional money on top of increased costs, the threat of amalgamations and budget cuts.
“And now to have had another blow to their finances must be overwhelming for management teams – and it will certainly impact on patient care,” Mr Walsh said.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas didn’t respond to questions before deadline.
