The theatre closed earlier in the year temporarily for maintenance work. However health service chief executive Ritchie Dodds said the maintenance process showed more extensive structural work might be needed to ensure all safety and quality standards could continue to be met.

He said the health service had written to all theatre patients to advise of the temporary closure.

"The surgeons are also liaising directly with patients,” he said.

“Those patients who need immediate treatment are being offered other alternatives, or being directed to other specialists in the region.”

Mr Dodds said the health service had contacted Wimmera Health Care Group to see if the organisations could work together to provide an alternative theatre service until Nhill’s theatre could reopen.

“We’re in early discussions and there are no guarantees, but both health services are committed to finding a solution,” he said.

The Nhill Hospital theatre provides general, orthopaedic, dental and eye surgery, as well as ear nose and throat surgery.

Mr Dodds said the amount of surgery varied each week, but the theatre operated two to three days a week on average.

“The surgeons travel from outside of Nhill, but stay overnight to give postoperative care to their patients,” he said.

Mr Dodds said independent experts would assess the theatre and advise what additional work on the theatre’s layout and equipment might be needed. He said patient safety was paramount and the service was not prepared to take any shortcuts.

“We expect to be able to advise our patients and community of a definite way forward in the coming weeks,” he said.

"It is possible that any further work required will take a number of months.

“We thank the community for their patience and understanding and we’ll continue keep people informed of developments as and when they arise.”

Wimmera Health Care Group chief executive Catherine Morley said the group would offer support wherever possible.

“We're really keen to work with West Wimmera Health Service to see if we can support them to undertake surgery that they regularly provide there, and not compromise the surgery we have already booked in,” she said.