WIMMERA Health Care Group said the proposed amalgamation with Ballarat Health Services is not set in stone and the organisations are still open to new ideas.
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This comes after concerns from the community were voiced during in-person consultation meetings held in Horsham last week.
The meetings were held on February 4 and 5 at the Wimmera Health Care Group daycare and Horsham Golf Club, with pop-up information stands in Haven and Dimboola.
Wimmera Health Care Group board chairwoman Marie Aitken said the purpose of the meetings was to identify what services the community would like to see improved.
"The board's primary motivation for undertaking this exploration is to look at ways that we can improve the services that are delivered locally in the Horsham and Wimmera Mallee area," she said.
"Some people at the consultation have the view that we have already made up our mind about voluntary amalgamation. That is certainly not the case. The purpose of the consultation is to seek the views of the community to hear about the services they think are the most important for us."
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A spokesman for Wimmera Health Care Group said the Horsham Golf Club events were attended to capacity by members of the community.
Ballarat Health Service chief executive Dale Fraser attended the meetings in-person to provide information on the merger from Ballarat Health Service's point of view.
Ms Aitken said members of the community who attended the meetings had strong opinions on the merger.
"We have also had a lot of community services who I think have gained a better understanding of why we are considering this change.
"They are apprehensive, as is the board, but they also realise that if this change is going to improve services that they would not be opposed to the change.
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"My impression from the consultations I have been involved in is that there are some people already 100 per cent in favour of this move, and there are some people 100 per cent opposed to this move.
"But by far the vast majority of people are cautiously in support of the move if it means increased service delivery locally."
Wimmera Health Care Group and Ballarat Health Service have been exploring partnership options, including voluntary amalgamation, since mid-2020.
The board of the health group has been looking for community feedback about what services matter most to the Wimmera community.
For more information on the proposal, and dates for consultation meetings, visit http://www.whcg.org.au/all-categories/2-uncategorised/599-partnering-for-better-health.
