Epworth expansion to boost regional health services

Epworth is expanding healthcare options in regional Victoria, bringing the type of services normally only available in major Melbourne hospitals.

The not-for-profit private hospitals group is establishing a regional consulting suite in East Gippsland, where the community will have referral access to specialist Epworth doctors.

Clinicians will use the suites at The Centre in Bairnsdale to provide in-person appointments, complemented by telehealth consultations for follow-up care and ongoing support.

Ashley Wheeler, Executive General Manager at Epworth Eastern hospital in Melbourne, said people living in regional areas should not miss out on top-class care.

"By establishing consulting suites at The Centre, we can bring more Epworth doctors to Bairnsdale and provide East Gippsland communities with local access to many specialist services that aren't currently available in the region," he said.

"Our focus is always on the patients we care for, and we are proud to be broadening access to specialist care for people in East Gippsland.

"This initiative will help ensure more people can receive expert support closer to home."

The Epworth initiative is designed to be an ongoing, scalable model for specialist care in regional Victoria.

The new partnership was officially launched in late 2025, at an event with local GPs, pharmacy teams, allied health providers, medical clinics, and community health organisations.

Carolyn Donchi, owner of The Centre, said the collaboration brought a greater level of specialist expertise "directly" to the community.

"Epworth brings an outstanding reputation for clinical excellence, and having their specialists practising from The Centre will provide enormous benefits to our local community and surrounding regions," she said.

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