25 February 2022

Austin Health Pathology is now providing pathology services to the community at Goulburn Valley Health sites.

Austin Health Pathology Medical Director, Associate Professor Kerryn Ireland-Jenkin, said there will be no change to the way the community receives their pathology care.

“We’re really grateful for the opportunity to provide pathology services to patients in the Goulburn Valley region,” A/Prof Ireland-Jenkin said.

“Pathology services will still continue to be delivered onsite and the community will not notice a difference in the way samples are collected.

“The Shepparton laboratory will remain open at the Goulburn Valley Health's Graham St site with the majority of the testing to be conducted through this laboratory. More complex, specialised testing will be referred to the Austin Health Pathology in Heidelberg as it has been for the last four years.

“Patients will also be able to directly access a wide range of services through Austin Health Pathology.

“Austin Health Pathology currently provides pathology services to a number of regional communities and we look forward to investing in new equipment and technology to meet the needs of the Goulburn Valley community,” she said.

A/Prof Ireland-Jenkin said Austin Health Pathology provides pathology services to other rural health services including Echuca, Swan Hill, Mildura and a number of other sites in the Hume and Loddon Mallee regions.

“This transition has been planned collaboratively with Goulburn Valley Health over the last 18 months,” she said.

“Austin Health Pathology has been supporting to Goulburn Valley Health’s pathology services for a number of years but will now take on responsibility for these services as a whole.

“Anatomical pathology is one component of these services and will now be provided via our laboratory in Heidelberg which will help to improve turnaround times for patients,” A/Prof Ireland-Jenkin said.

Matt Sharp, Chief Executive, GV Health said the transition of GV Health’s pathology services to Austin Health Pathology has been carefully planned over many months, with the intention to retain high-quality pathology services for our community now and into the future.

“I wish to acknowledge and thank GV Health's present and former pathology staff for their excellent service over many years and contribution to our community,” Mr Sharp said

“Those staff members will remain onsite at our Graham Street Shepparton campus in their new roles at Austin Health.

Mr Sharp also stated, “This transition will enable people accessing pathology services at our Graham Street Shepparton campus and throughout the region to benefit from services available through a larger pathology service provider and will ensure there is a sustainable and stable long-term investment in pathology services and new equipment and technologies to meet our growing community’s needs.”