General News
3 February, 2025
Maternal child health services transition endorsed
After extensive community consultation, West Wimmera Health Service (WWHS) will take over Yarriambiack's maternal child health (MCH) services including immunisation services by April 1 with council endorsing the transfer at this month's council meeting.
Formal discussions with WWHS commenced in 2024 surrounding the transition of MCH services after council recognised that the shire could not offer support services that complement the services.
WWHS currently offers the Hindmarsh Day Stay and Positive Parenting Centre which supports families with any parenting issues that may arise with their baby or toddler.
The health service provides additional services for families across the shire including allied health professionals such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and early parenting practitioners.
The community engagement began on November 28, 2024, and closed at 5pm on Monday January 20, 2025, where council received four submissions from the community.
"I think it's a fabulous idea. WWHS are of course better equipped to provide allied health services, than council is. It will hopefully allow council to direct their funds to other necessary programs," a Rupanyup resident said.
A Murtoa resident said, "My partner and I are expecting our first child in July next year. It would be excellent to have more local access to support services and the sooner the better. Many people have recommended we travel to Ballarat to be able to access decent services, which is a ridiculous distance. Hopefully this is a great solution and improve the local situation."
However, not all feedback was positive with a Warracknabeal resident concerned on the local impact it could have.
"I'm concerned our shire is starting to get a patchwork of community services with no overlapping central body within our shire. It is already hard to attract skilled professionals to our rural area," it read.
"Isolation can be challenging and opportunities for professional networking across Early Years agencies is paramount. I have heard that towns that fringe multiple support agency borders become places some families seek for anonymity."
A resident from Brim expressed their concern over a potential forced amalgamation and losing the valuable service.
"I understand the importance of clinical support and WWHS will be able to provide this to our MCHS nurses. My only real concern is Grampians Health being forced to amalgamate with WWHS and this valuable service being removed from our communities," it read.
"The amalgamation between the health services of Ballarat, Horsham etc has been very disappointing, reduction of services etc in the Wimmera. We have exceptional MCHS nurses in the Yarriambiack Shire, who provide valuable support and services to our families.
"This quality service is too valuable to lose."
Council responded by stating at this point in time the State Government has no plans to amalgamate services.
"An amalgamation also does not mean that maternal child health services would be removed. It is essential for the council to continue advocating to the Government on the significance of rural health services in our region," they said.
"These services are not only providers of acute care but also play a crucial role as community health providers within our shire."
WWHS has confirmed that they do not wish to change the structure of the current service delivery model and aims to retain staff and will continue to offer services in Minyip, Murtoa, Rupanyup, Warracknabeal, Beulah, Hopetoun, Patchewollock, Tempy, Yaapeet and Woomelang.
During the council meeting councillor Corinne Heintz said it makes "common sense" that MCH and immunisation should be under a health authority.
"It's not really council's core business however, it's just been that way for years but things do change, and I'm confident that health services will do a good job," she said.
"Plus they also will supply ready access to many other child health and education."
Mayor Kylie Zanker supported Cr Heintz stating council running MCH and immunisation services can be challenging.
"I feel that the scope within a council to meet maternal child health including immunisation services is quite hard at times," she said.
"From my perspective as a mayor I can see it as a win win for our communities.
"The fact it's not council walking away or exiting, it's actually council working in conjuction with another provider who has those services."