A great opportunity to join our Board of Directors: Nomination pack

Bendigo Community Health Services is embracing the biggest change in focus in the organisation's 40-year history.

New strategic directions will see BCHS increase our focus on early years intervention to seriously challenge the cycles of disadvantage which have become entrenched in some Bendigo families and areas.

It's an exciting time for our organisation and here's the chance for you to play an important role in that change.

We are on the lookout for new members to join our Board of Directors.

RELATED: Katie Johnson joins the Board of Directors

RELATED: Welcome a board - three new directors join BCHS

Interested? A couple of quick questions to answer first!

Is improving the health of our communities important to you?

Are you keen to contribute to make a positive difference?

Do you have some experience in boards and governance?

Three ticks? Read on ...

Women's sexual and reproductive health hub for Bendigo

A new community-based hub for women’s sexual and reproductive health will soon be based at Bendigo Community Health Services.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy used Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week to announce the Bendigo hub to deliver timely, affordable sexual and reproductive health advice to local women.

A second hub will be based at cohealth in Melbourne with a further six centres to be established in metropolitan and regional areas in the next three years.

Women’s Health Victoria will also establish and operate Victoria’s first pregnancy support help line.

The announcements follow the Andrews Government’s Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Plan launched earlier this year.

Bendigo Community Health Services CEO Kim Sykes said the new community-based hub for women’s sexual and reproductive health was a terrific initiative by the State Government.

“It’s exciting for Bendigo Community Health Services to get the opportunity to extend the excellent platform of women’s health services we already offer our community,” Ms Sykes said.

“Women of all ages will have access to a full range of sexual and reproductive services empowering them to make informed decisions on their health and wellbeing.

“The hub will allow us to help more women which is fantastic for our community.”

Ms Sykes said the organisation would now work with the State Government to finalise plans for the hub at the BCHS Central site to ensure women could benefit from the expanded services as soon as possible.

Free dizziness and vertigo seminar in Bendigo

Bendigo residents living with dizziness and vertigo can learn about symptoms, treatment options and research during a free seminar at Bendigo Community Health Services on September 9.

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital balance disorders lead Doctor David Szmulewicz will host the seminar.

The Temporal Bone Donor Society and Melbourne University will use the seminar to increase understanding of temporal bone donation.

Society founder and president Doctor Tamar Black said the temporal bone housed the inner ear and controlled the body’s balance and hearing systems.

“Many people suffer with very debilitating and frustrating balance and/or hearing disorders because they do not know what specialist medical treatment is available through public hospitals like the Eye and Ear,” Dr Black said.

“These disorders frequently impact on quality of life and mental health, and effect the patients’ families and significant others.”

Dr Black said the ‘after-life’ donation of a temporal bone allowed researchers to improve medical treatment and cochlear implants by learning more about clinical balance and hearing disorders.

“We hope to reduce barriers to seeking treatment and increase rates of temporal bone donation,” she said.