Change planned for Maternal and Child Health service

Published on 28 May 2026

Loddon Shire Council will work with the State Government to transition its Maternal and Child Health service to an alternative provider, with a strong focus on continuity of care for local children and families.

The decision follows an independent review of the Council-run service, which found that while it is highly valued by families and performs strongly in relation to participation and community connection, the current model faces ongoing sustainability challenges and risks when being delivered in a local government setting.

These include a small specialist workforce, limited internal clinical governance capability and the difficulty of sustaining specialist clinical oversight within a rural council setting.

Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub said Council would now begin detailed transition planning as it worked closely with the Department of Health to identify and progress a future service model.

This would include further engagement with staff, union representatives and any potential future provider.

“By making this decision now, Council can work proactively with partners to support a well-managed transition, rather than reacting to future workforce and governance pressures,” Cr Straub said.

“The focus is on supporting long-term service arrangements that provide stability and continued high-quality outcomes for local families.”

Council recognises the deep importance of this service to local families and the broader community. The service has been highly valued for many years, reflecting the trust and relationships that have been built through its delivery. 

Council acknowledges the contribution of its Maternal and Child Health staff and the important role they play in supporting families across the municipality.

Although Council has resolved to transition out of providing the service, there will be no immediate change to current service delivery arrangements, and families should continue to access services as usual.

Council is committed to keeping families and the community informed throughout the transition process and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.