SATURDAY night’s fundraiser for the Bendigo Health Care Group brought together business people, community representatives, and many hard working hospital staff committed to improving health services in our region.

An interesting point was made that despite a smaller crowd than previous years, more money was raised at the All Seasons function than last year.

But the event was not so much about the amount of money raised as it was a gathering of people committed to a good cause - a new state-of-the-art hospital for Bendigo and the wider region.

There are high hopes, and even expectations, that it is Bendigo’s time.

The need for a new hospital has been established and is well known.

Hospital management has already commenced the planning and change-management processes that will be required to steer the organisation through a major construction project, and the installation of a number of portable office buildings is central to this process. It’s hoped that plans and costings will be ready for presentation to the State Government and the community by the end of the year, and the community has already signalled this is one fight it will not surrender.

As the major regional inland centre in this state, serving a catchment that extends into southern New South Wales, Bendigo deserves the best health service our government can afford. We know it will not be cheap, we know it will take time, but more significantly, we know it is needed.

What do you think? Write a letter to the editor, or e-mail editor@bendigoadvertiser.com.au