Central Highlands Rural Health

Central Highlands Rural Health Central Highlands Rural Health provides acute, community health and aged care services to communities across the Hepburn Shire and Macedon Ranges.

Central Highlands Rural Health has facilities in Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham. Central Highlands Rural Health has been providing healthcare to its local community for over 160 years. Although we have had a number of name changes over the years, our mission remains the same – to deliver high quality healthcare for our communities. Central Highlands Rural Health provides acute, community health and aged care services to people across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shire. We work collaboratively with medical professionals and regional healthcare partners to provide a breadth of services for you and your family, plus seamless transitions between hospital and the home. We can provide or connect you with the services, programs and expertise you need. The intention of this page is to inform the community of the services, program, activities, events and health promotion information provided Central Highlands Rural Health. It does not replace professional health advice. It is not a resource for emergencies, raising health concerns or seeking professional advice. Our Urgent Care Centres in Kyneton and Daylesford are open 24/7 or in a life threatening emergency you can 000. We welcome friendly and authentic engagement but expect people to be respectful, constructive and legal. We reserve the right to remove comments. Central Highlands Rural Health has no control over shared posts and comments made on those posts. If you’ve got a specific issue, we’d prefer to resolve your concerns in ways that respect privacy. Formal feedback or complaints can be sent confidentially to ceo@chrh.org.au. We expect that users will not post content that falls into the following categories and reserve the right to remove postings that are:
• off-topic and not appropriate for discussion in this forum
• in violation of another’s privacy
• vexatious, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading
• abusive, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or otherwise offensive
• of a political nature or promote particular services, products, or political organizations
• illegal or advocate illegal activity
• in violation of another’s intellectual property or infringe upon copyrights or trademarks

Every cent counts! 💛A huge shout out to Hailie and Owen from Bakers Delight Daylesford, who recently handed over more th...
06/02/2026

Every cent counts! 💛

A huge shout out to Hailie and Owen from Bakers Delight Daylesford, who recently handed over more than $150 raised through loose change and the generosity of our community.

The Bakers Delight Daylesford team are wonderful supporters of Central Highlands Rural Health and are always finding ways to give back. Each year, the collection box in store raises close to $600, which is pretty amazing.

If your business or organisation would like to support Central Highlands Rural Health with a collection box, please get in touch with our Fundraising and Engagement Manager at ...

👉 narelle.groenhout@chrh.org.au

After more than two decades of service, Pam Saunders has retired from her role as Director of Nursing at Creswick Health...
05/02/2026

After more than two decades of service, Pam Saunders has retired from her role as Director of Nursing at Creswick Health, with her final day on Friday 30 January.

Pam commenced with Hepburn Health (now Central Highlands Rural Health) in 2004 and progressed through leadership roles including Nurse Unit Manager, Clinical Care Coordinator and Director of Nursing. Across more than 20 years, Pam led the Creswick team with integrity, professionalism and a strong commitment to patient care and clinical excellence.

Her leadership guided Creswick Health through significant periods of change, including the amalgamation, major infrastructure upgrades, pandemic management, accreditation processes, the completion of aged care renovations and the reopening of the sub-acute ward. These achievements reflect Pam’s long-term vision and dedication to strengthening local health services.

Pam’s legacy extends well beyond projects and milestones. She is widely respected for her mentorship, attention to detail and ability to build strong, capable teams grounded in shared values.

Pam’s retirement was celebrated with a farewell morning tea shared with residents and staff, complete with heartfelt speeches, thoughtful gifts and some very special cakes – including one decorated with many photos of Pam’s nursing journey.

On behalf of Central Highlands Rural Health, we thank Pam for her exceptional contribution and years of service and wish her all the very best in her retirement.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Cancer Survivorship Community Forum at Kyneton Health yesterday.We were plea...
03/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Cancer Survivorship Community Forum at Kyneton Health yesterday.

We were pleased to host this event and to see so many community members attend, including people with lived experience of cancer and those supporting family and friends.

Hearing directly from the community about what’s working well and what people want from their local health service will help guide how we continue to strengthen and connect cancer support services close to home.

The feedback shared on the day has already given us clear insight into where we can do better and how we can better support people locally.

If you weren’t able to attend, the Cancer Survivorship Survey is still open! Your feedback is just as valuable, and it’s a great way to have your say on what local cancer care should look like. You can complete it online via the link or QR code or pick up a hard copy from Allied Health Reception at Kyneton Health.

A special thank you to the Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service for their partnership and for being with us at the forum – your support makes a real difference.

Thank you again to everyone who has shared their voice so far – your input will help shape better cancer care for our community.

Great to be part of the Ballarat Community Aged Care Expo 👋Our Central Highlands Rural Health team, including Associate ...
30/01/2026

Great to be part of the Ballarat Community Aged Care Expo 👋

Our Central Highlands Rural Health team, including Associate Nurse Unit Manager Gabby and Care at Home Manager Jo, loved spending the day chatting with the community about residential aged care, home support packages, dementia programs, and our allied health and wellbeing services.

A big thank you to The Aged Care Events Community for hosting such a fantastic day with more than 300 attendees coming together to connect, learn, and support older residents and their families.

🌡️ Extreme heat across our region todayIt’s forecast to reach 40°C or more today across our Central Highlands Rural Heal...
26/01/2026

🌡️ Extreme heat across our region today

It’s forecast to reach 40°C or more today across our Central Highlands Rural Health communities in Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham.

Hot weather can cause serious illness, but planning ahead and taking a few simple steps can help protect your health.

Extreme heat can affect anyone, but older people, young children, pregnant people, and those with medical conditions are at higher risk.

Please also take a moment to check in on family, friends and neighbours. A quick call or visit can make a big difference on very hot days.

Keep cool and stay safe today:
◾ Plan ahead and avoid the heat where you can
◾ Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty
◾ Spend time in cool or air-conditioned spaces
◾ Check in on others, especially those who may need extra support

For more tips on staying safe in extreme heat, visit
👉 https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat





📣 Have you or someone you care for been affected by cancer? We want to hear from you.Central Highlands Rural Health is h...
22/01/2026

📣 Have you or someone you care for been affected by cancer? We want to hear from you.

Central Highlands Rural Health is hosting a Cancer Survivorship Community Forum in Kyneton, and we’re inviting people living with cancer, cancer survivors, and carers to share their experiences of accessing cancer services in the Macedon Ranges.

Your feedback will help us understand what’s working well and where we can do better, so we can continue to improve cancer support services locally and reduce the need for people to travel for care.

🗓 Tuesday 3 February 2026
⏰ 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm
📍 Allied Health Gym, Ambulatory Care Centre, Kyneton Health

Please RSVP by Monday 2 February to help with catering:
📧 allied.health@chrh.org.au

📞 (03) 5422 9946 (select option 1)

Can’t make it on the day? You can still have your say by completing our Cancer Survivorship Survey online via the link below, or by picking up a hard copy from Allied Health Reception at Kyneton Health.

👉https://www.chrh.org.au/articles/11031-2/

Your voice will help shape better cancer care, closer to home.

We're pleased to share our Summer Community Newsletter.This edition is packed with news, community information and photo...
22/01/2026

We're pleased to share our Summer Community Newsletter.

This edition is packed with news, community information and photos from our organisation over the last few months.

We welcome you to dive into the pages to read about what we’ve done recently for your local community.

Happy reading!

👉 https://www.chrh.org.au/articles/community-newsletter-summer-2025-2026/









📣 Urgent Care available 24/7 in Kyneton and Daylesford 📣Central Highlands Rural Health operates Urgent Care Centres in K...
09/01/2026

📣 Urgent Care available 24/7 in Kyneton and Daylesford 📣

Central Highlands Rural Health operates Urgent Care Centres in Kyneton and Daylesford, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you or someone you care for needs urgent medical attention, our experienced nursing teams can assess and treat a wide range of urgent health concerns.

📍 Kyneton Health Urgent Care Centre
📞 03 5422 9900
➡️ 7-25 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton. Present at the nurses’ station or use the after-hours security buzzer at the front entrance.

📍 Daylesford Health Urgent Care Centre
📞 03 5321 6500
➡️ 17 Hospital Street, Daylesford. Press the buzzer at the dedicated entrance to be let in.

In a life-threatening emergency, always call 000.

05/01/2026

🌡️ Heatwave warning for Central Victoria

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued heatwave warnings for parts of Victoria over the next few days, including a severe warning for Central Victoria.

Temperatures are expected to peak on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Extreme heat can cause serious health issues such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and can worsen existing conditions including heart, kidney and lung disease.

People most at risk include:
◾ People aged 65 and over
◾ Babies and young children
◾ Pregnant women
◾ People with chronic or acute health conditions
◾ People who are socially isolated

To stay safe in the heat:
◾ People aged 65 and over
◾ Keep cool
◾ Watch for signs of heat-related illness
◾ Check in on family, friends and neighbours

Know the risks, be prepared and stay safe.

For more tips on staying safe in extreme heat, visit the Better Health Channel:
👉 www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat

Meet Jenny 👋Jenny is one of our wonderful Meals on Wheels volunteers in Creswick. She chose to volunteer as a way of giv...
20/12/2025

Meet Jenny 👋

Jenny is one of our wonderful Meals on Wheels volunteers in Creswick. She chose to volunteer as a way of giving back and honouring her Grandma, who needed support with meals years ago.

Jenny loves how flexible volunteering is. You can choose the day and how often you help, and it only takes a couple of hours. If life gets busy, there is always someone happy to step in.

For Jenny, the most rewarding part is seeing how grateful clients are, especially on cold and wet days, and having a friendly chat along the way. With a car provided and support to get you set up, it is an easy way to make a real difference close to home.

“Come and give it a go,” Jenny says. “You never know, one day it might be you waiting for that knock at the door and a friendly face.”

Thinking about volunteering? Our Meals on Wheels team would love to hear from you. All ages, all diversities are welcome. A smile and a quick check-in can mean the world to someone.

If you're able to help, please contact Di Connors - Volunteer Coordinator on
0493 284 755 or email: Di.Connors@chrh.org.au

It was a privilege to host Dr Niki Vincent, Commissioner for Gender Equality in the Public Sector at our Daylesford camp...
19/12/2025

It was a privilege to host Dr Niki Vincent, Commissioner for Gender Equality in the Public Sector at our Daylesford campus.

Dr Vincent spoke to a packed room of staff (any many joining virtually) about her work as Commissioner and the role the Gender Equality Act plays in driving real, lasting change across the public sector.

The discussion covered key challenges including the gender pay gap, leadership representation and the importance of looking at how our policies and services impact people differently.

It was a valuable opportunity for our team to hear first-hand why gender equality is not only a workplace issue, but a public health issue that influences safety, wellbeing and the care we provide to our community.

Thank you to Dr Vincent for sharing her insights and for the important work she continues to lead across Victoria.

📷 Photo captions:
1. Dr Vincent speaks to staff at Daylesford Health
2. CHRH Community Volunteer & Diversity Engagement Coordinator, Di Connors with Dr Vincent

Christmas and New Year service changesOver the Christmas and New Year period, some Central Highlands Rural Health servic...
18/12/2025

Christmas and New Year service changes

Over the Christmas and New Year period, some Central Highlands Rural Health services will pause or operate on reduced schedules.

Please see the details below to help you plan ahead.

All other services will continue to operate as normal.

📍 Kyneton

Treehouse
◾ Last day of program: Monday 22 December
◾ Program returns: Monday 5 January

Kyneton Allied Health (Healthy Mind and Movement)
◾ Group programs have paused and will resume on Monday 12 January
◾ All acute, sub-acute and community services will continue as normal

📍 Daylesford

Community Health
◾ Closed to the public from Monday 22 December
◾ Re-opens Monday 5 January

Social Support
◾ Last day of program: Tuesday 16 December
◾ Program returns: Tuesday 20 January

Treehouse
◾ Last day of program: Friday 19 December
◾ Program returns: Friday 9 January

📍 Trentham

Community Health
◾ Closed to the public from Monday 22 December
◾ Re-opens Monday 5 January

Social Support
◾ Last day of program: Thursday 18 December
◾ Program returns: Thursday 15 January

Treehouse
◾ Last day of program: Tuesday 16 December
◾ Program returns: Tuesday 13 January

📍 Creswick

Community Health
◾ Closed to the public from Monday 22 December
◾ Re-opens Monday 5 January

Social Support
◾ Last day of program: Wednesday 17 December
◾ Program returns: Wednesday 21 January

Treehouse
◾ Last day of program: Wednesday 17 December
◾ Program returns: Wednesday 7 January

📍Clunes

Community Health

◾ Closed to the public from Monday 22 December
◾ Re-opens Monday 5 January

Social Support
◾ Last day of program: Thursday 18 December
◾ Program returns: Tuesday 6 January

If you need to access immediate mental health support during the Christmas closure period, please contact your local 24/7 Mental Health Triage service (Ballarat 1300 247 647 or Bendigo 1300 363 788) or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For any physical health concerns, contact your nearest Urgent Care Centre or Emergency Department.

If you have questions about a specific service, please contact us or speak with your care team.

📣 Note: Our Urgent Care Centres in Daylesford and Kyneton are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays.

Address

Daylesford, VIC

Website

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Our Story

Central Highlands Rural Health has been a part of the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shire for over 160 years.

Although we have had a number of name changes over the years, our mission remains the same – to deliver high quality healthcare for our communities.

We provide acute, community health and aged care services to people across Hepburn Shire and the Macedon Ranges. We work collaboratively with medical professionals and regional healthcare partners to provide a breadth of services for you and your family, plus seamless transitions between hospital and home. We can provide or connect you with the services, programs and expertise you need.

In November 2019, Hepburn Health Service amalgamated with Kyneton District Health to establish a new entity – Central Highlands Rural Health. The primary goal of Central Highlands Rural Health is to continue to provide the best possible integrated health services for our communities across a broader region.