Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system interim report welcomed by BCHS

Bendigo Community Health Services welcomes today’s interim report from the Royal commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Our submission to the Royal Commission described this as a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ for mental health in Victoria and it’s enormously encouraging to see nine recommendations that pave the way for change on this scale.

We thank the many people who had the courage to tell their ‘lived experience’ stories during this Royal Commission because that bravery now has the real potential of bringing about historic change.

Our submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System was based on our experience providing services to people in need.

It’s heartening to see today’s interim report recognise the groups highlighted in our submission as needing urgent consideration.

There is the ‘missing middle’ – those who fall between the gaps due to not being at the higher level of acuteness and not meeting eligibility requirements for services funded to worth with people with mild mental health presentations.

To read the full interim report   pdf click here (1.54 MB)

Young people needing better access to services along with people of refugee background.

Danielle Couch joins the Bendigo Community Health Services Board of Directors

Exciting times as we welcome Public Health Researcher Danielle Couch to the Bendigo Community Health Services Board of Directors at tonight's November meeting.

Danielle was elected to the Board at our Annual General Meeting on November 14.

Directors Katie Johnson and Dean McKay were re-elected for another term.

Danielle is excited about getting involved in BCHS with its social model of health and focus on providing accessible, quality health and social services.

She brings a strong interest in public and rural health, media, health workforce, communities and social models of healthcare.

Danielle holds a Master of Public Health and a PhD in public health with her work recognised by the inaugural Violet Vines Marshman Postdoctoral Fellow in Rural Health at La Trobe University in Bendigo.

She has an extensive history working in population health, health promotion and primary prevention with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, funding and commissioning organisations, digital health and peak consumer health bodies. 

Danielle has worked with Murray PHN, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative and Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group.

She is an Associate Editor with the Journal of Bioethical Inquiry and a member of the Public Health Association of Australia and The Australian Sociological Association.

Welcome Danielle!

Jenny Dillon stepped down from the board at the AGM and we thank her for the time and effort she gave BCHS during her stint as a Director.  

Who are the other members of the BCHS Board of Directors? To find out click here

Last updated: November 2019

Eaglehawk site takes direct hit from falling tree on Code Red Day

Our sincere thank you to the Eaglehawk community who were quickly on the phone to the Victoria State Emergency Service when our Seymoure Street site took a direct hit from this tree which has come crashing down in today's high winds.

Thankfully, our Eaglehawk site is closed today after we activated our Code Red Day Plan yesterday.

It's a stroke of very good fortune because while the major damage has happened to our new courtyard fence and surrounds, the tree has hit the roof and area above where the City of Greater Bendigo Maternal and Child Health nurses work.

It's safe to say the fact the site is closed and no one was in harm's way is something for which we are truly grateful.

We're on the site now assessing damage but it's clear the tree won't be removed today given the continuing high winds and dangers that creates.

We don't believe this incident should impact on the delivery of our bulk-billed medical practice and Allied Health services when the Eaglehawk site opens as normal at 8am tomorrow but we'll keep you informed if anything changes.

So thank you again to everyone who called the SES - that community support and care means a lot to us!

And thank you to the SES and other emergency services crews who are out and about in these atrocious conditions working to keep our community safe.

Stay safe everyone - it's a filthy day!

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