Ms Feeny was appointed to the role in November and began work in January.

In a statement to the Wimmera Mail-Times, Rural Northwest Health chairwoman Julia Hausler confirmed Ms Feeny’s departure.

“Rural Northwest Health board of management informed staff across the Warracknabeal, Beulah and Hopetoun campuses last Thursday of the departure of the CEO Janet Feeny,” she said.

“The board acknowledge the contribution made by Mrs Feeny to their health service and wish her well with her future endeavours.”

Ms Hausler said the board would make arrangements following Ms Feeny’s departure.

“The board of management will put interim arrangements in place with minimal interruption to the health service and will start the search for a new CEO in due course,” she said.

“The board of management is committed to deliver a high quality, person centred, service to all staff, clients and stakeholders of Rural Northwest Health.”

Related: Rural Northwest Health appoints new chief

Ms Feeny has worked in the health industry for more than 20 years, including working at Stawell Regional Health as an executive in human resources and acting CEO when required.

Before that, she worked for nine years in human resources with East Wimmera Health Service.

Speaking to the Wimmera Mail-Times at the time of her appointment, Ms Feeny said she was excited to start the role.

“I’ve been so impressed with how the health service has evolved in the past few years to become the very best and particularly with its close community ties,” she said. “For an isolated regional health service to gain such recognition and be leading the way in aged care is simply amazing.”

She had said she wanted to working closely with the board and RNH team members to continue their great work.

“The board wanted someone to keep growing Rural Northwest Health’s community development and continue with the directives of its new strategic plan,” she said.

The Department of Health was contacted for a response, but did not reply before deadline.