WEST Wimmera Health Service chief executive John Smith has quashed public speculation that the service plans to close Jeparit Hospital.
There will be a community consultation meeting at the hospital tonight, which has raised concerns within the Jeparit community about the future of the hospital and other health services in the town.
Jeparit Hospital has four acute beds and 15 aged-care beds. It also houses a Tristar medical clinic, operated by Dr Nouman Qadir.
Mr Smith said the meeting was the final in a series across all sites of West Wimmera Health Service, as part of a Community Needs Analysis and Service Profile Project.
He said rumours about the Jeparit Hospital closing had no foundation.
"The agenda will be the same as all the other agendas we've run in other towns, which is to give people the opportunity to tell the service what the community's health needs are, and what their future health needs might be," he said.
"This is a genuine commitment to hear from the community what they believe should be available to meet their needs and best interests, and that's our genuine approach."
Mr Smith also denied allegations that funding for district nursing in the region had run out.
"That has no foundation," he said.
"The services we provide are based on need, and if there is a need for district nursing it will continue."
Hindmarsh Shire councillor Mick Gawith said he was disappointed about the rumours circulating Jeparit.
Cr Gawith said the community consultation was a positive step in maintaining the `excellent' service already provided by West Wimmera Health Service.
He said more health services would be needed in Hindmarsh Shire in the future, because 40 per cent of the population would be over 65 by 2031, making it the fifth oldest population in Victoria.
"Older people have extra medical requirements, and we are going to need more health professionals and facilities to look after them," he said.
"So I am encouraging people to come along to the meeting if they have good ideas. They need to come in with an open mind, listen to what is being said, and then put forward any constructive ideas they have.
"I don't want to see people coming along thinking this rumour is true, and ranting and raving about it, because that will just dampen the meeting and then we can't move forward."
Hindmarsh Shire Council chief executive John Hicks said he welcomed the service review.
"We don't have any control over what does or doesn't happen with health services, but as far as we're concerned, it is not even a possibility that the hospital will be closing," he said. "The service is asking for community input into the review, and what we want is the best health services for our communities."
Tristar Medical Group chief executive Kylie El-Sheikh said the Jeparit clinic would continue operating `as normal'.