Blog (Latest news) ...

Australian-first research study ‘Learnings from a pandemic - connecting with communities in social housing’

: Tuesday 16 August 2022; Written by Nicole

Bendigo Community Health Services today joined Swinburne University of Technology, Connect Health and Community, Star Health, Merri Health and Peninsula Health to launch the Australian-first research study ‘Learnings from a pandemic - connecting with communities in social housing’.

The five community health organisations worked with Swinburne to undertake research into the lived experiences of social housing residents and managers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each organisation was responsible for delivering the High-Risk Accommodation Response program, which was co-designed by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and community health providers across the state, to engage with and respond to the needs of vulnerable communities during the multiple COVID peaks and outbreaks in these settings.

: Wednesday 10 August 2022; Written by Nicole

Bendigo Community Health Services is urging takeaway liquor outlets to recognise their responsibility not to serve alcohol to people under the age of 18.

Our latest Supply Monitoring audit, which involves a number of people appearing ‘under age’ visiting 30 Bendigo outlets to purchase alcohol without identification, found:

11 sold alcohol without first asking for ID
1 sold alcohol even after the purchaser said they did not have ID
18 outlets asked for ID and refused to sell if the purchaser didn’t have any
29 per cent of chain outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
67 per cent of independent outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
70 per cent of franchise outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
76 per cent of audited stores were almost empty at the time of purchase, and of the 23 per cent quite busy outlets 43 per cent sold alcohol without asking for ID.

: Wednesday 10 August 2022; Written by Nicole

BCHS currently has three positions for strategic and collaborative leaders to join our board, who will help guide and grow our organisation into the future.

Bendigo Community Health Services delivers more than 50 programs across the region, which help people live healthier and more connected lives.

This includes access to GPs, along with services covering families and children, mental health and counselling, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, men's and women's health clinics, supporting the LGBTIQ community and refugee settlement. BCHS also helps people manage specific health and wellbeing needs, such as managing their mental health or living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory issues or heart disease.

: Friday 29 July 2022; Written by Nicole

At a time when the world feels unstable, the people of Greater Bendigo are being called upon to embrace the spirit of friendship this weekend.

Bendigo Community Health Services, the City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and Believe in Bendigo are encouraging residents to celebrate the International Day of Friendship, which falls annually on July 30.

The United Nations International Day of Friendship was proclaimed with the ‘idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities’.

: Wednesday 13 July 2022; Written by Nicole

Bendigo Community Health Services has been named as the lead agency for a new Loddon Mallee Infant, Child and Family Health Wellbeing hub.

The hub is one of three across Victoria announced today by the State and Federal governments.

Families across the Loddon Mallee region with children aged 0-11 years will have access to a one-stop shop for mental health care and health and wellbeing support, with the hub delivering a range of specialist medical and allied health services such as paediatricians, psychologists, parenting support and speech pathologists under one roof.

The hub will also provide free assessments for development issues and autism.

: Tuesday 28 June 2022; Written by Nicole

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.

: Monday 27 June 2022; Written by Nicole

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.

: Tuesday 7 June 2022; Written by Nicole

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.

: Monday 30 May 2022; Written by Nicole

On the eve of World Anti-Tobacco Day, Bendigo Community Health Services is calling for increased community conversation about the risks of vaping.

With a sharp increase in the number of young people using vapes, BCHS is asking parents, schools and young people to have conversations about the harmful realities of using e-cigarettes.

As noted by key Australian and international health organisations, there is increasing evidence of health-related harm caused by vaping.

BCHS encourages people to learn the facts about vaping, which include:

: Sunday 15 May 2022; Written by Nicole

With the state’s healthcare system under pressure, two of Bendigo’s GP and allied health service providers are calling for understanding from the community.

The high number of Covid-19 and influenza cases across the region has resulted in healthcare providers not only seeing a significant increase in demand for GPS, but also a reduced workforce.

Bendigo Community Health Services CEO, Gerard José, says the organisation is experiencing high demand for GP and other allied health appointments.

“We empathise with our Bendigo Health colleagues and understand the pressure they are under in our hospital’s emergency department,” he said.

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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.