The Victorian government has decided not to implement a key recommendation from an expert panel to forcibly merge hospital services, despite the potential benefits for patient care and cost efficiency. Premier Jacinta Allan stated that the government will not pursue amalgamations, believing it is not in the best interest of patient care, while accepting other recommendations to streamline operations. A new agency called Hospitals Victoria will be established to oversee the collaboration among the 76 health services, reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and implementing a unified electronic medical record system. This decision follows significant public pushback and protests from regional health services against proposed budget cuts. Critics, including opposition leader John Pesutto, have labeled the government's response a