Maternal and child health, or MCH, will now be delivered by the Victorian Government, while the immunisation service will be handled by an external provider.
Council said it is committed to family health and wellbeing, and had conducted extensive community and staff consultation in its decision.
Mayor Daniel Mackrell said the change reflected a future-focused approach.
“This decision is about strengthening access to accessible, well-managed and consistent services for children and families across our shire,” he said.
“Our consultation process highlighted community trust in the services, but also validated the benefits that could be gained through specialised service delivery and integration within health settings.”
The state government will appoint local health services to provide MCH services and increase support for families and nurses.
An assessment will be made by the government on whom the new MCH provider is, and the council will continue providing the service in the meantime.
A Department of Health spokesperson said they were aware of the council’s decisions and would support them in the transition.
“We're working closely with a range of partners to ensure there is no gap in services for local families and children,” they said.
Cr Mackrell said ensuring families in the region had continuous access to care was a priority.
“By transitioning to external providers, we can better manage the complexities and risks associated with delivering these vital services,” he said.
“Council staff will work closely with the new provider to ensure any change is well managed through a partnership approach to protect the interests of all.”
An external immunisation provider will be chosen by the council, with a focus on high clinical standards, accreditation and risk oversight by a specialist provider.
The council’s decision to transition MCH and immunisation services to external providers reflects wider trends in local government sectors.
Cr Mackrell said community health and wellbeing were the top concerns, and the change would support long-term sustainability of the services.
“By adopting these recommendations, we aim to ensure sustainable, high-quality care for families in our shire,” he said.
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