Under the new model, families will continue receiving care from trusted MCH staff in the same locations, ensuring service continuity.
The free service supports Victorian families with children from birth to school age in areas including parenting, health and wellbeing, and development.
The service was previously run by Campaspe Shire Council, which made the announcement in March 2025 that it would be “exploring options of outsourcing” the maternal services for families.
When making the announcement, Mayor Daniel Mackrell said the decision came from wanting to “optimise outcomes for families and children” and there were certain aspects of delivering health services that were “difficult” for local government organisations to meet.
ERH's MCH project manager, Karen Taylor, said the move provided families and MCH services with more integrated support across services such as allied health, paediatric specialists, early intervention services and NDIS support.
Services will continue operating at Colbinabbin, Echuca, Gunbower, Kyabram, Lockington, Tongala, Stanhope, Rochester and Rushworth.
All MCH nurses are registered nurses and midwives with additional child and family health qualifications, enabling them to provide tailored support and identify health concerns or developmental delays.
Ms Taylor said families awaiting appointments would be contacted “in coming weeks” by MCH administration staff to schedule these appointments.
Families with babies older than four months can use the inquiry form at erh.org.au/maternal-child-health or call 1300 644 964.
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