“However, council has carefully considered the viability of continuing to deliver those services following the recent changes to aged care made by the commonwealth.
“Council does not have the ability to comply with the new clinical and governance requirements, which have now been mandated by the commonwealth.
“Only specialist health service providers are adequately equipped to accommodate these requirements due to their existing corporate structures.
“It is for this reason that council recommends that the commonwealth appoints West Wimmera Health Service to deliver aged-care services throughout our shire.
“We recognise that change can bring questions, and we want to reassure the community that services will continue, with familiar staff remaining in place.”
It is anticipated existing staff will be offered employment by the new provider, with no job losses resulting from the change.
Child services
The council is also considering transitioning the management of its child-related services to alternative specialist providers.
The potential transition will affect Goroke Preschool, Edenhope Early Childhood Service, Kaniva Kindergarten, as well as maternal and child-health services in Kaniva, Harrow, Goroke, and Edenhope.
No formal agreements have been finalised with any providers.
Cr Meyer said any potential agreements would see families continue to receive services at their existing locations, ensuring consistency of service delivery through a smooth handover process. Cr Meyer said the transition would provide new opportunities to improve services for children and parents.
“Families rely on high-quality early years programs to give their children the best start in life,” he said.
“Through this partnership, we are ensuring that local families will continue to receive exceptional care and education in a way that meets their expectations and is sustainable for the future.”
Other shires’ services are managed by other providers, for example, West Wimmera Health Service provides free maternal and child-health services across Hindmarsh Shire, while Emerge Early Years Services manages 14 kindergartens across Horsham, Hindmarsh and Northern Grampians municipalities.
Cr Meyer said all existing West Wimmera child-services staff would be supported throughout a potential transition, with no job losses resulting from the change.
People can share their feedback and ask questions through the ‘Have Your Say’ portal on the council’s website, www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au.
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