Health services in Hepburn and Kyneton have joined forces, ensuring residents can access the very best health care closer to home, long into the future.

Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos has confirmed the formation of a new health service to be called Central Highlands Rural Health.

Over the past two years, the boards of Hepburn Health Service and Kyneton District Health have been working together and consulting with their communities on better ways to share resources and improve clinical services.

The combined management structure of Central Highlands Rural Health will begin this week.

There will be no reduction in services, staffing or funding. All campuses in Kyneton, Daylesford, Creswick, Clunes and Trentham will stay in place and keep their local identity. Donations will also remain with the community that raised the funds.

CEO of Kyneton District Health and Hepburn Health Maree Cuddihy said:

“The formation of the new organisation will enable us to deliver a stronger health service in each community. We will be able to strengthen services, enhance quality and deliver more consumer-driven care. Personally, I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities for improvement to local healthcare our voluntary amalgamation brings.”

The single entity will ensure the health services can meet the future health care needs of a growing population, deliver more and new services locally and provide greater access to high quality for locals in each community.

Patients will enjoy better health outcomes thanks to the sharing of knowledge, skills expertise across campuses to improve care and a stronger ability to recruit and retain staff.

Our healthcare services: better together.