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Bendigo Community Health Services to deliver essential services during Victorian lockdown

: Saturday 21 August 2021; Written by Rod

Regional Victoria was put back into COVID-19 lockdown at 1pm today (August 21, 2021).

Bendigo Community Health Services will operate as an 'essential service' through this lockdown period.

We are offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for people aged 40 to 59, frontline workers or from eligible community groups. To book an appointment call 5406 1200 or visit our online booking system to see available appointments click here

If you have a face-to-face appointment for our medical practice, Women's Health Clinic, Men's Health Clinic or Sexual Health Clinic this will go ahead but could change to Telehealth due to the lockdown conditions on our staff.

If you have an appointment with BCHS you will get a call from one of our staff if this is changing to Telehealth. If you don't hear from us or have any questions please call 5406 1200 during business hours.

Our Nova House, pharmacotherapy and Needle Syringe Program will operate as normal.

Our HeadtoHelp Hub will offer only phone and online support until the lockdown has finished. Appointments should still be made by calling 1800 595 212.

headspace Bendigo will operate on a reduced service. Please call 5406 1400 if you have any questions.

All Bendigo Community Health Services sites follow strict Coronavirus precautions for the safety of our clients and staff.

We ask for you help in allowing us to keep a safe environment by when you visit one of our sites wearing a mask, sanitising your hands, scanning the QR code when you arrive and do the screening questions with one of our Client Services staff. This all takes a bit of time we know so we ask for patience and support when dealing with our staff.

Please call our Client Services staff on 5406 1200 during business hours if you have any questions.

We ask for your support and patience as all clients and visitors to our sites will need to wear a mask unless you have a medical exemption and provide contact tracing information.

For the latest information on Coronavirus and Victorian restrictions please only use reliable sources such as the DHHS website click here

If you have any symptoms please get tested.

Together we can #StopTheSpread

Last updated: August 21, 2021

Coronavirus Telephone Hotline for the Karen community turns one with plenty of work still to do

: Thursday 19 August 2021; Written by Rod

It's amazing that our free Coronavirus Telephone Hotline for the Karen community has just turned one.

Don't think any of us thought this service would still be needed 12 months on but sadly that's COVID-19.

The need for trusted information around Coronavirus symptoms, testing, quarantine, contact tracing and now COVID-19 vaccines and the QR Code system is more important than ever.

We have even answered questions about recreational activities such as fishing and camping.

There's so much more work ahead of us talking to the community and answering their questions but we got our staff to pause for just a moment to recognise the wonderful service they have provided with the free hotline and other programs in the past year.

We are so proud of all our staff who have been part of this wonderful community initiative.

Most of them appear in these great pictures with a first birthday cake. Sad thing is thanks to COVID-19 you can't even blow the candle out!

To see more pictures click on the 'read more' button below.

: Tuesday 17 August 2021; Written by Rod

Statement of support

Bendigo Community Health Services expresses our deep sadness at the atrocious impacts of civil war in the homelands of our local refugee communities.

We acknowledge that the violent conflicts in both Myanmar and Afghanistan continue to oppress, devastate and restrict the freedom of their diverse communities.

The images coming out of Myanmar and Afghanistan are a sad reminder of the suffering and tyrannises of war and we recognise the distress and great sorrow our local community members will be feeling.

Bendigo community at heart - that's a great start to join our Board of Directors

: Wednesday 11 August 2021; Written by Rod

Do you have community at heart?

Are you skilled in clinical governance, risk and compliance, strategy or finance?

We are on the look out for passionate community members with the drive and experience to help guide and build our organisation into the future.

Current Board member Abhishek Awasthi shares why his role on the Board of Directors is so rewarding ...

"Bendigo Community Health Services has been serving the local Bendigo community for decades, and its Board of Directors plays a critical strategic role in realising its vision across generations. I have been fortunate to be a part of this fantastic team of directors who are skilled and passionate to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. I have contributed, learned new things, and had lots of fun, and I invite you to consider nominating for the board position."

The first step to joining our Board is filling out the nomination form click here

To meet our Board of Directors click here

To read the BCHS Constitution click here

Last updated: August 11, 2021

Elmore health services get a boost through new partnership between BCHS and REDHS

: Thursday 29 July 2021; Written by Rod

Residents in Elmore and surrounds will have access to increased podiatry and physical activity services thanks to a new partnership between Bendigo Community Health Services and Rochester and Elmore District Health Service.

The partnership will see REDHS staff delivering weekly podiatry and twice-weekly physical activity programs from the Bendigo Community Health Services site in Jeffrey Street, Elmore.

BCHS Podiatry and Physical Activity Program Senior Leader Tom Pain said the new partnership was built around caring for the Elmore community.

“We are pleased this partnership with REDHS will continue to support Elmore residents to live independently and use exercise to improve health and wellbeing,” Tom said.

“BCHS and REDHS are working together to ensure all our clients get the opportunity to continue with this new service and their health and wellbeing needs are taken care of.

“We have a long association with the Elmore community delivering podiatry and physical activity programs and running our popular Social Support Group and we look forward to that continuing through this new partnership with REDHS.”

REDHS Community Care Manager Susannah Hargreaves said the organisation was excited to build on services already delivered for the Elmore community.

: Wednesday 28 July 2021; Written by Rod

How are women in Loddon Mallee caring for their mental health and wellbeing in this COVID-19 pandemic?

The best way to find out is ask so we've teamed up with Women's Health Loddon Mallee and Northern District Community Health to gather some amazing stories of strength and resilience.

We have learned so much about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected lives and what steps women have taken to look after themselves in these uncertain times.

REPORT: Read this summary from the focus groups to see some of the great stories and ideas discovered click here

The 5 Ways to Wellbeing framework was at the heart of this project. 5 Ways to Wellbeing provides simple and practical tips to help improve your quality of life even in times like these. To learn more about 5 Ways to Wellbeing click here

To see some of the feedback we received from women across the Loddon Mallee click on the 'read more' button below.

: Monday 26 July 2021; Written by Rod

Our Alcohol and Other Drugs team is warning the skyrocketing price of illicit drugs will see an increase in demand for prescription medications.

The price spike could put drugs out of reach of some people forcing them onto prescription medications such as Benzos and opioids which are dangerous if used incorrectly.

Rising drug prices and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions could also force some people into home withdrawal which could prove life-threatening without the support of a GP or health professional.

Our Drug Safety Worker Paul Morgan said AOD team members had been alerted to the rise in drug prices from concerned consumers and other support agencies.

"When illicit drugs become too expensive, or the quality drops, or access becomes an issue in times such as these COVID-19 lockdowns, we know people turn to prescription medications as the alternative," Paul said.

"It's important for people to remember that any opioid when used incorrectly is very dangerous and the threat of overdose remains very real. Prescription medications should only be used to treat the conditions they are prescribed for and following the directions very clearly at all times.

"Anyone using opioids - legal or illegal - should have access to Naloxone is an injection or nasal spray which temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose and gives you time to get emergency services involved. Our AOD team provides Naloxone prescriptions and basic training on its use. This should be considered essential if you use opioids or spend any time with someone who does."

Rising drug prices and the COVID-19 lockdown could also force people into withdrawal.

WARNING: To learn more about the dangers of withdrawal and what to look out for click here

: Monday 19 July 2021; Written by Rod

We proudly join this great Victorian Council of Social Service campaign called Back To The Good Things.

The Back To The Good Things video is a great reminder about why it's important to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

WATCH: To watch the video click on the 'read more' button below

We think so many people will identify with this video given what our community has endured and continues to go through.

If you are aged 40 to 59, a frontline worker or from an eligible community group we can provide you with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Call our Client Services team on 5406 1200 or see available times through our online booking system click here

WATCH VIDEO: Back To The Good Things campaign delivers special message

: Friday 9 July 2021; Written by Rod

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to apologise if you have been trying to get through to us on the phone this morning.

Seems the gremlins had a bit of fun with our phone system but the good news is everything's up and running now - fingers crossed no more issues!

Anyone calling through got this message: "The number you are calling is either incomplete or not connected". We paid our bill - honest!

If you were calling this morning about our COVID-19 vaccine clinic we still have appointments for anyone aged 40 to 59 years. You can see what appointment times are available by using our online booking service or calling our great Client Services staff on 5406 1200 to help.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Last updated: 9.15am on July 9, 2021

Thanks isn't enough: Urgent review needed of State Government funding for social services sector

: Friday 2 July 2021; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services has joined the social services sector in calling on the Victorian Government to urgently review current funding to ensure the future of community care.

The Victorian Council of Social Service has launched a Thanks Isn't Enough campaign to highlight present funding does not cover the cost of service delivery putting organisations and jobs at risk.

VCOSS said State Government funding for social service agencies was indexed, meaning it’s supposed to go up each year in line with the cost of delivering services. Costs are going up more than four per cent this year but State Government funding for 2021/22 is only increasing two per cent.

"In real terms, that’s a (funding) cut. This is an absolute body blow to those organisations which supported Victorians through the worst of COVID," VCOSS CEO Emma King said.

Ms King said costs had increased dramatically over the past year because of factors outside the control of service organisations such as a recent increase to the minimum wage (up 2.5%), new superannuation contribution requirements (increasing charities’ wages bills by 0.5%) and new Portable Long Service Leave obligations.

“Funding needs to increase by at least four per cent just to cover the rising costs of delivering services,” Ms King said.

Bendigo Community Health Services CEO Gerard José said government funding must allow organisations to continue delivering quality care to the community.

"The pressures on not-for-profit organisations like BCHS are enormous at the moment," Mr José said.

"We cannot accept any funding system that puts services and jobs in danger when it comes to health care and ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community.

"Our staff have already gone above and beyond through this pandemic. Their resilience and determination to keep the community healthy and safe has been truly amazing and this type of dedication should be supported not put in danger by essentially a funding cut that means 'sorry, you now have to do more with less'. How fair is that?

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Discovering BCHS - meet our staff

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kidzspace - a new era for BCHS

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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.