Blog (Latest news) ...

Bendigo dementia awareness campaign designed to support refugee communities

: Monday 27 September 2021; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services has launched new resources to raise dementia awareness in refugee communities.

Our Settlement Services staff held several consultation sessions within refugee communities to ensure the dementia resources delivered the right messaging.

The community consultations identified knowledge gaps around dementia and tested the cultural relevance and appropriateness of information.

The project was developed using Dementia Australia resources and funding from the State Government.

To watch dementia awareness videos in Karen and Dari language please click on the read more button below.

: Friday 24 September 2021; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services CEO sends support to all staff working tirelessly to provide healthcare to people across Melbourne who have been subjected to violent abuse from protesters this week ...

“We are so aware of the enormous effort that our staff and others in regional Victoria have given to vaccinate, educate and provide services to our communities.

"We have been discussing people that are hesitant about accessing vaccination, and how it is important to provide information in calm and caring settings.

"However, such mindless violent harassment of staff and clients must be called out and condemned by all of us.

"Nicole and her team at Cohealth have been selfless in their efforts to provide outreach services to some of the most vulnerable people and deserve our respect and admiration.

"BCHS stands together to support all Victorian health workers and the Victoria Police members that are trying to keep us safe.

"We urge the Victorian community to give their fullest support and compassion to all health workers at this time.

"I will wear a Blue Ribbon to symbolise support to our frontline health and community police."

Gerard Jose

CEO, Bendigo Community Health Services

Last updated: September 24, 2021

Bendigo COVID-19 vaccine - latest on Coronavirus vaccine rollout and how you can book for our clinic

: Thursday 23 September 2021; Written by Rod

Last updated: September 17, 2021

Please note: Your address details will be checked for all appointments to ensure COVID-19 restriction rules are being followed.

Please note: Construction workers seeking priority access to vaccines today will need to attend the state-run Bendigo COVID-19 Vaccine Centre in Mollison Street.

Bendigo Community Health Services is delivering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible people from the City of Greater Bendigo.

We can deliver both first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine but at the moment only have bookings available for a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

To book the next available appointment call our Client Services team on 5406 1200.

Online bookings: To see available appointments in our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic visit our HotDoc online booking service click here

Please note: If you have had your first AstraZeneca vaccine and had no serious side effects then you should have a second dose as required. If you have any concerns please speak with your GP.

If you want the AstraZeneca vaccine we recommend you use the Bendigo Health Vaccination Centre at 113-133 Mollison Street. The centre is open from 10am to 5pm daily. Call 1800 675 398 to make an appointment. The centre accepts a limited number of walk-in appointments each day.

Who are frontline workers/community members eligible to get the vaccine now regardless of age?

: Tuesday 21 September 2021; Written by Rod

Our Board of Directors, management and staff have been deeply saddened by the passing of former CEO Kim Sykes.

Caring.

Loyal.

Passionate about community health and helping those most in need.

So proud of BCHS and the staff who represented its values.

Kim singled out 'the staff' as her proudest moment on the final day as CEO: “We have such a dedicated team at Bendigo Community Health Services who are passionate about supporting the people they work with and making their lives better. Every day brings a new highlight for me in what the staff are achieving to make both BCHS and their community better. It’s been a privilege for me to be part of their work and the achievements made through their expertise and dedication. They are the strength of BCHS.”

Our staff will never forget Kim's love of celebrating a milestone and unashamed passion for Christmas which saw sites and meetings take on a distinct festive flavour every December.

In eight and a half years as our CEO Kim worked tirelessly to improve health services for Greater Bendigo and beyond.

Kim made many friends along the way both in the health sector and general community.

Kim enjoyed a diverse career in health and human services through the public, private and not for profit sectors with roles in service provision, state-wide policy development, governance and executive leadership.

Our thoughts are with Kim's children Aaron and Jess, family and friends.

Aaron and Jess provided the following message to BCHS and community.

: Thursday 16 September 2021; Written by Rod

It's just wonderful when our doctors get recognised for their fantastic work in caring for the Bendigo community.

A big congratulations to Doctor Sarah Lim on winning the Murray City Country Coast GP Training 2021 Registrar Extension Award for an outstanding level of performance.

Dr Sarah is at the forefront of our women's health programs working in the Women's Health Clinic and Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub at our Central site.

"I have been very privileged to work in this clinic alongside an amazing team of nurses and staff to provide sexual and reproductive health care to our community," Dr Sarah said.

"We want to congratulate Sarah on this exciting award and know it's well deserved as Sarah provides exceptional care for our consumers at BCHS and is constantly trying to increase her knowledge and skills," said Senior Leader Medical Practice Karli Russell.

A big congratulations from all of us at BCHS Dr Sarah. We are very proud of you.

Last updated: September 2021

Bendigo foster carers needed for children desperately seeking somehwere to call home

: Wednesday 15 September 2021; Written by Rod

We are excited to work with Anglicare Victoria to raise vital community awareness about the urgent need for foster carers in Bendigo.

Sadly there are too many local children in desperate need of foster care so please make the call if you are interested!

It's Foster Care Week so we want to recognise and thank all the carers out there looking after children for respite or long-term.

What a wonderful role you are playing in our community.

And a big shout out to Anglicare for making this happen.

To learn more about foster caring in Bendigo click here

To hear from a foster carer about the rewards of the role click here

Last updated: September 2021

Women's health stories told in new documentary series about coping through a COVID-19 pandemic

: Tuesday 14 September 2021; Written by Rod

Have you seen this wonderful five-part documentary series featuring seven women telling their stories about living life through the COVID-19 pandemic?

It's part of our 5 Ways to Wellbeing project with Women's Health Loddon Mallee and Northern District Community Health that engaged with women across the Loddon Mallee to learn more about the things they have done to cope.

Well worth a watch - some great stories.

Thank you to everyone involved!

To watch this five-part documentary series click here

If you want to read the full report from the project click here

Bendigo Women's Health Week: GPs and nurses discuss the most common issues they see

: Thursday 9 September 2021; Written by Rod

It's Women's Health Week.

Our wonderful staff are passionate about caring for women of all ages through the Women's Health Clinic and Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub.

From contraception, STI testing and endometriosis to unplanned pregnancy, medical termination, miscarriage and menopause our staff provide guidance and support through what can be the most stressful of times in life.

So, what are the most health questions our staff get? Our nurses and doctors sat down to talk about the issues they see the most and others that need community awareness. To watch the panel discussion click on the 'read more' button below.

We share this panel discussion in Jean Hailes Women's Health Week to raise awareness in the community about these health issues and encourage women to reach out for support.

Asking for help is such an important first step.

If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment at our Women’s Health Clinic or Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub call 5406 1200 or visit our website at www.bchs.com.au to learn more.

: Wednesday 1 September 2021; Written by Rod

It's Early Childhood Educator's Day.

A time to say thank you to all those educators out there who open up their homes to care for children.

Our Family Day Care team is lucky to have a team of wonderful educators across the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire Council areas.

To celebrate the day we've asked our childcare educator Caitlyn Mactier to share her thoughts on the experience ...

Can you tell us why you chose to become a family day care educator?

After having our own children it was important to our family that I was able to be at home with them as much as possible throughout their early childhood years. I was however also keen to return to work in some capacity in order to maintain and continue growing my skills as an Early Childhood Educator. Becoming a family day care educator was perfect as it allowed me to do both. I have always been a strong believer in the positive impacts a calm, nurturing, child-centred environment can have on a child’s development, particularly in those early years, so having the skills and means to be able to offer this as a care option to other parents also appealed to me greatly.

What have been your favourite experiences since becoming an educator with Bendigo Family Day Care?

: Wednesday 1 September 2021; Written by Rod

It's Early Childhood Educator's Day.

A time to say thank you to all those educators out there who open up their homes to care for children.

Our Family Day Care team is lucky to have a team of wonderful educators across the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire Council areas.

To celebrate the day we've asked one of our mums Melanie Brennan to share her thoughts on using the service.

Melanie's children Mia and Indi go to our educator Caitlyn Mactier for care ...

Can you tell us why you chose Bendigo Family Day Care?

I grew up going to family day care, which I hold fond memories of and have maintained lifelong friendships from even a young age. I wanted my children to have the same opportunity to be cared for in a home-like environment, with small group sizes and the chance to establish life long friendships and more tailored and personalised care.

What have been your favourite experiences with Caitlyn’s Family Day Care service?

Subcategories

General
Community

For all events, information stands, men’s health week, women’s health week and the like
Discovering BCHS - meet our staff

Find out more about our amazing staff
kidzspace - a new era for BCHS

Our kidzspace project
Volunteers

BCHS recognises and thanks our volunteers
Partnerships

BCHS recognises and thanks our partners
From our executive

News from our executive
Celebrations

Celebrating BCHS's milestones
Men's Health Marathon

Bendigo Community Health Services runs the Men's Health Marathon in late August and early September each year - 11 days of activities designed to get men out, active and thinking seriously about their health.