Grampians Health says maternity services are still available at Wimmera Base Hospital despite an MP's claims to the contrary.
The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said a source inside Grampians Health told her that on Wednesday night the organisation had decided to suspend maternity services in Horsham indefinitely.
But Grampians Health executive director of acute operations Ben Kelly denied that was the case.
"As part of our COVID-19 response planning, we have put in place systems to manage [staff absences] on a day-to-day basis, including planning for anticipated maternity deliveries this coming Easter period," he said in a statement said.
"Maternity services are open in Horsham, however during times of high demand maternity patients may be transferred from Horsham to Ballarat Base Hospital for the birth of their babies.
Grampians Health was created last year following a merger of the Edenhope, Stawell, Horsham and Ballarat health services.
'Trusted' inside source
Ms Kealy, a former chief executive of the Edenhope District Memorial Hospital, said a "leader inside the healthcare service" told her a decision had been made to suspend maternity services indefinitely.
"It was unequivocal … and is from someone that I know and is trusted within the health service," she told ABC Statewide Drive.
"We've seen a back-pedal, but still no guarantee that women won't be shipped off to Ballarat, which is two hours from Horsham.
"The Horsham hospital is the only hospital in the Wimmera that has birthing services — if you live in Edenhope or Nhill or Kaniva, you would travel an hour to Horsham to have a baby, but now that's not available."
Ms Kealy said a woman who gave birth roadside near Portland earlier this month was an example of the potential ramifications of shutting down maternity services.
Claim fracture clinic also closed
Ms Kealy said the Horsham hospital's fracture clinic was also closed.
Grampians Health did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.
"You have to go to Ballarat for fractures — it's just not good enough," Ms Kealy said.
"We're seeing a winding back of health services when we were promised Grampians Health would fix everything and we'd see more health services, not less."
Ms Kealy was a vocal critic of the creation of Grampians Health, creating a petition against the merger that gathered over 3,600 signatures.
Health Minister Martin Foley has been contacted for comment.
