IT was terrific to spend a few hours touring the Mildura Base Public Hospital this week and to meet with new CEO Terry Welch and Board Chair Mary Rydberg.

The return of the hospital to public management after 20 years of privatisation was a monumental moment for our region and there have already been some subtle and positive changes.

It was a huge job by many people to ensure the transition on September went smoothly, particularly given the difficulties posed by the coronavirus.

I am determined to have an open line of communication with Mr Welch and Ms Rydberg to ensure further health service needs at the hospital are met.

I have been particularly vocal about getting more cardiac and cancer services at the hospital, raising the issue with Premier Daniel Andrews in the last sitting of Parliament.

Mr Andrews acknowledged there was more the Victorian Government could do to improve cardiac and cancer services in regional Victoria and committed to discussing our needs.

The fight to get our hospital back in public hands has been won but I will continue to lobby hard to ensure we have access to the best medical services possible. We deserve nothing less.