The survey, conducted by the Wimmera Development Association, looked to measure Wimmera residents' understanding of the proposed amalgamation between three of the region's health services and Ballarat Health Services.

Although the survey is set to end at the end of July, early figures show 60 per cent of the almost 400 participants said they needed more information to understand what changes were being made.

Almost 20 per cent of respondents said they completely opposed the move, and five per cent said they were entirely in favour.

Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership chair David Jochinke commissioned the survey alongside the Wimmera Development Association.

The results indicated a need for the Wimmera Health Care Group to provide more information to the public.

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"I think the best thing they can do is to release the business case. The proponents of the proposed amalgamation really need to get out there and start providing information," he said.

"It's a clear mandate that everybody is looking for more information, everybody wants to know how it is going to work and how it is going to be future-proofed so that we don't lose any services.

"I am still calling for them to release the business case and the implementation plan. If they can't then they have to provide a lot more data, a lot more information than what has been released, because that vacuum is causing a lot of people's concerns."

Wimmera Health Care Group board chair Marie Aitken said the business case for the amalgamation was commercial-in-confidence.

Still, the group looked to release sections of it to the public following ministerial approval.

Mr Jochinke refused to accept any non-disclosure of the business case and said making the plans public was the key to granting the community assurance.

"What we recognise too is that the health service in the region is one of the key employers, one of the key aspects of the area's livability status and people want assurance that we are going to get a similar, if not increased service," he said.

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"One of the best ways to provide assurance is to release that business case. They have got to be able to verify that information and demonstrate how they are going to implement it."

The survey results will be compiled into a report with other research on historical health amalgamations.

Mr Jochinke said he hopes the report will act as a 'temperature check' for the amalgamation process.

"My mandate is to be the voice of the community on key issues to the government. I have not only had a clear mandate from my other regional partnership members, but also through this temperature check that I need to stand up and call for more information," he said.

Ms Aitken welcomed the findings of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership survey to date.

"We understand the findings of the survey show that a large majority of our region is interested in learning more about the potential benefits of bringing four health services together," she said.

"It's for this very reason that we have come together to continue consultation in our four communities, above and beyond that already undertaken in each local area.

"We are set to launch a new online hub for the community, to learn about how we can deliver better healthcare, enhanced services and advance careers, closer to home.

"This website will outline where we have come from, the need for this change and the benefits of the proposal.

"Most importantly, it will provide a simple place for the community to have another say in the future of healthcare in the region."

Mrs Aitken said the health services would also embark on further engagement with staff, stakeholders and the community.

"We'll have more to say about this in the next couple of days and we're looking forward to talking more with our community," she said.

To fill out the survey, visit the Wimmera Development Association's website.

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