BCHS says women should have autonomy over their health

Bendigo Community Health Services supports a woman’s right to make decisions about her own health.

Following the dangerous US decision to overturn Roe V Wade, BCHS is concerned about the impact at a local level on women seeking pregnancy terminations (abortions).

BCHS provides specialist nurse-led care for women seeking terminations until 9 weeks gestation.

On average, our Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub supports four women a week to medically terminate a pregnancy, however the number of women phoning our service seeking information or referrals for surgical termination is much higher.

BCHS resumes Thursday Soup Kitchen

Bendigo Community Health Services will next week resume providing free meals to those who need them.

After a two-year break because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the soup kitchen will again operate out of Fork in the Road community hub each Thursday evening.

The Thursday Soup Kitchen operates in partnership with the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

Clients working with the Department improve their cooking and customer service skills, by preparing meals for distribution to those who attend each week.

Need to continue supporting at-risk communities

A vital program working with some of the region’s most at-risk communities during the Covid-19 pandemic will end next month, leaving a significant gap in the city’s healthcare response.

Bendigo Community Health Services joins the Victorian Healthcare Association in urging the State Government to reconsider its decision to end the High Risk Accommodation Response program (HRAR) next month, when the state’s ambulance and hospital system is being hit with significant demand as a result of Covid-19 and influenza.

Through this program we have been able to reach people in ways that weren’t previously being met before the pandemic.