Castlemaine Health's maternity services are likely to resume in the new year, the health service's outgoing chief executive officer says.

Ian Fisher said Castlemaine Health had yet to reach a local agreement with midwives about the operational side of the proposed model - a process he was hopeful would be completed next week.

Once that process was complete, Castlemaine Health would seek to recruit about three additional midwives.

The additional staff would be necessary to implement the proposed maternity services model.

Mr Fisher did not expect Castlemaine Health would have too many difficulties recruiting midwives.

"Our model is something that would be very attractive," he said.

The health service's proximity to both Bendigo and Melbourne was also expected to be an advantage.

Mr Fisher was hopeful Castlemaine Health would be able to advise dates for the resumption of maternity services before the end of this year.

"The signs are there that the model has been endorsed," he said.

"People will start seeing jobs advertised."

Earlier

Castlemaine Health has revealed the new model of care for its maternity services, which have been suspended for more than six months.

But it is not yet clear when services will resume.

The model includes two options for low-risk pregnancies: a midwifery-led approach, and collaborative shared care.

More complex cases will be cared for at Bendigo Health or another higher-level service, with the potential to be transferred back to Castlemaine Health post-birth.

"We believe this new model of care - with its focus on collaboration, shared decision making and strong professional relationships - will have a positive impact on a woman's birth choices and her experience," outgoing Castlemaine Health chief executive Ian Fisher says.

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All women entering the service will have a primary midwife caring for them.

Midwives will collaborate with general practice obstetricians throughout a woman's pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

The collaborative shared care approach involves pregnancy care from a woman's chosen general practitioner obstetrician and a known midwife, followed by care from their midwife for labour, birth and early parenting.

A midwife cares for women from pregnancy through to early parenting in the midwifery group practice approach.

Women will be able to either refer themselves to the service or be referred by their general practitioner or general practitioner obstetrician.

Castlemaine Health says women will be allocated pathways based on their needs, preferences and clinical profile at the beginning of their care.

A panel of senior Castlemaine Health midwives, local general practitioner obstetricians and senior Bendigo Health clinical staff will be involved in the decision-making process.

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Castlemaine Health envisages women will be able to move easily between pathways, should the need arise.

"Under the new model all women will be able to receive maternity care that is suited to their needs, close to home and community, with clear pathways to Bendigo Health as needed," Mr Fisher says.

The maternity service was suspended in May pending a review, the results of which were released at the end of June.

Families threw their support behind the maternity service, highlighting its importance in the region and calling for the urgent resumption of care.

Castlemaine Health in September said maternity services were 'well on the way to reopening'.

The report resulting from the maternity services review said: "The timing for reopening the service will be guided by the progress of the implementation plan."

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