Chief executive Terry Welch refuted claims reported by the ABC, which concerned the death of an unborn baby and three other "near misses".

"The hospital is proud of the service it provided to local mothers through its maternity service, which includes the close working relationship with Ballarat Health Services for higher risk pregnancies and deliveries," Mr Welch said.

In a statement, the health service said Safer Care Victoria was satisfied with it and the safety and suitability of services it provided the community.

Maryborough District Health Service said it initiated a review three years ago to ensure it was maintaining the standards expected of a Level 2 maternity service.

"At the hospital's request, Safer Care Victoria performed a safety systems health check of the maternity service in 2017," the statement said.

"No urgent concerns were identified by the review and MDHS was commended for their 'commitment to improving care and service for the women and families of Maryborough'."

The statement said a range of suggestions were made to strengthen the maternity service, to better engage with consumers, strengthen the workforce and build sustainability.

"In particular, it was recommended that MDHS work more closely with Ballarat Health Service, the local regional centre," the health service wrote.

Mr Welch said the hospital pro-actively implemented the report.

"Any suggestion otherwise is strongly refuted," he said.

"This includes systems that allow Ballarat Health Services to have the capacity to view key diagnostic tests and scans from Maryborough."

He said any suggestion that MDHS sought to manage on its own, rather than seeking specialist support, was "simply inaccurate".

"Dr Russell Dalton - a senior Ballarat-based obstetrician - has been the director of obstetrics at MDHS for four years and provides oversight and leadership to the service," Mr Welch said.

He said Victoria's maternity services were assessed annually and the latest Perinatal Services Performance Indicator report confirmed Maryborough was meeting the appropriate levels and standards.

Safer Care Victoria chief executive, Professor Euan Wallace endorsed the initiative of MDHS in 2017 to seek the safety systems health check of its maternity service.

"This request demonstrated a preparedness and willingness to seek advice and recommendations to ensure the health service provided the best possible service to the women and families in its community," Professor Wallace said.

"The health service took on board and implemented the recommendations, and has forged a closer relationship with Ballarat.

"It actively participates in regional review processes for obstetric services.

"Since that time we have had no clinical matters that have required the involvement of Safer Care Victoria."