Blog

Bendigo HeadtoHelp hub for those in our community missing out on mental health support

: Tuesday 27 October 2020; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services has opened a new dedicated HeadtoHelp mental health hub.

Our CEO Gerard Jose said the HeadtoHelp hub is playing a vital role in supporting people in need across Greater Bendigo, particularly during this Coronavirus pandemic.

"Bendigo Community Health Services welcomes the opportunity to further support people in need in our community through the new HeadtoHelp hub," Gerard said.

"We are well aware there are people out there struggling through this Coronavirus pandemic who are not getting the help they need and this initiative is the opportunity to reach out to them and provide that valuable support.

"Our staff are committed to HeadtoHelp and we believe this can make a real difference in the community."

Our HeadtoHelp hub runs from the Kangaroo Flat site at 19 Helm Street from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with anyone needing support to call 1800 595 212 for an appointment.

The hub has been established with the support of MurrayPHN and is one of 15 created across the state with the $26.9 million cost funded from a $31.9 million Federal Government mental health package announced in August to support Victorians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Bendigo HeadtoHelp hub is one of six in regional Victoria with others in Warragul, Sale, Wodonga, Ballarat and Geelong.

In Greater Melbourne hubs are located in Berwick, Frankston, Officer, Hawthorn, Yarra Junction, West Heidelberg, Broadmeadows, Wyndham Vale and Brunswick East.

To download and print out a flyer for the new Bendigo HeadtoHelp hub pdf click here (62 KB)

To download a sheet answering the most frequently asked questions about HeadtoHelp pdf click here (206 KB)

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the new HeadtoHelp hubs.

: Monday 26 October 2020; Written by Rod

Are you interested in finding out more about what's happening at Bendigo Community Health Services each month?

Subscribe today to get our There For You e-news delivered straight to your email inbox.

The There For You e-news features the latest news, happenings and program information from around the Bendigo Community Health Services sites.

You will also meet different BCHS teams and have a bit of fun along the way.

There's a Member's Corner too.

Subscribe to have There For You e-news delivered by email click here

Recent editions of our There For You e-news:

October 2020 edition click here

September 2020 edition click here

August 2020 edition click here

INVITATION: Our AGM is going 'virtual' on November 12. We would love to see you tune in

: Tuesday 20 October 2020; Written by Rod

Everything is being done a little 'differently' this year and Annual General Meetings are certainly on that list.

Our 2020 AGM is going 'virtual' this year from 10.30am on November 12.

BCHS Board of Directors Chair Vicki Pearce wants to see as many people as possible tuning in so to get everyone into the spirit we've made this little video invitation for you. Click on the 'read more' button below to watch:

: Thursday 15 October 2020; Written by Rod

A little excited to have played a role today in getting our brilliant national women's basketball team Bendigo Spirit ready to head into their North Queensland hub for the WNBL season.

Our community health nurses Kate and Heather delivered Fluvax to star forward Carley Ernst and all the other Spirit players and coaches.

We need them fit and healthy so they can do Bendigo proud right!

Basketball Australia has announced the Queensland Government, Cairns Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council and Townsville City Council will host a revised 56-game season plus finals from November 12.

We wish the Bendigo Spirit well and will be watching on as they do our city proud.

Go Spirit!

While Winter is gone we're still in flu season with cases reported beyond December last year. If any of your staff, community or sporting organisation members haven't had a Fluvax and would like one, please contact our team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 5406 1200.

Last updated: October 15, 2020

Bendigo Community Health Services - a proud history born out of a need for better access to healthcare

: Friday 9 October 2020; Written by Rod

This special video showcasing the proud history of Bendigo Community Health Services was made for our 30th anniversary.

It tells the story of our humble beginnings in 1974 born out of a need for better access to care in the Eaglehawk community to expansion into the not-for-profit organisation we are today.

There is some wonderful footage in the video of Bendigo in days gone by and the meeting between Bendigo politician David Kennedy and then Federal Labor leader Gough Whitlam about the importance of community health and the need for better services.

We're proud of our history and the passion and dedication of the people who turned an idea into a reality over 45 years ago and provided a foundation for the 50 services and programs we deliver to care for the health and wellbeing of this great community today.

Thank you all.

VIDEO: Watch this special presentation tracing our great history

Related information

To learn more about some of the people who helped forge BCHS please visit our online Life Members Board click here

To learn more about BCHS today please visit our website at www.bchs.com.au

Last updated: October 2020

Achievement Program competition - win $1500 for your early childhood service, school or workplace

: Thursday 8 October 2020; Written by Rod

Win $1500 for your early childhood service, school or workplace in our Achievement Program Competition.

Just register with our free Achievement Program and complete all health priority areas by June 2021 to go into the draw to win.

There will be one winner from the early learning service, schools and workplace category - that's three $1500 prizes!

Everyone who completes the Achievement Program (all health priority areas) will be placed into the draw with a winner drawn at random.

Winners will be announced on our social media and website in July 2021.

Find out how you can enter and learn more about the Achievement Program by clicking on the 'read more' button below.

: Monday 5 October 2020; Written by Rod

It's grass pollen season and people who suffer from asthma and hay fever will know that means increased risk.

There's also the chance of epidemic thunderstorm asthma for those at risk from asthma and hay fever.

Having an up-to-date plan for your asthma or hay fever is the best way to reduce the risk.

The National Asthma Council has updated the Australian Asthma Handbook with recommendations that offer new alternative treatment options for Victorians with mild asthma.

Anyone with asthma should see their GP to develop or review their asthma action plan and make sure any associated hay fever is well managed.

Given hay fever or asthma symptoms can be very similar to Coronavirus such as a runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, it's very important to get tested if these symptoms are different to usual.

People with asthma and hay fever symptoms may also touch their face more frequently and this increases the risk of being infected or transmitting Coronavirus if you do not follow good hand hygiene.

: Thursday 1 October 2020; Written by Rod

Learn how to exercise safely and right to improve your quality of life!

Our exercise physiology team can work with you to do this.

Here's all you need to know about the program before you start!

What’s an Exercise Physiologist?

An Allied Health professional specialising in preventing and managing health conditions and injury treatment.

An Exercise Physiologist works with consumers in areas such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, chronic pain, cancer, heart disease, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, COPD, impaired balance and rehabilitation for injury or before and after surgery.

: Friday 25 September 2020; Written by Rod

Did you know one in three adults aged 65 or over fall one or more times a year.

Falls can result in hip fracture, permanent disability and even death.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of falling and we're here to help you.

If you want to keep living independently then thinking about reducing the risk of falling is very important.

How can the Falls and Balances Exercise Program help me?

: Monday 21 September 2020; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services has started using a new e-scripts system to provide a safer, faster and easier way for clients to access your prescription medications.

The free e-scripts service allows our GPs and health professionals to send you or a nominated person an electronic copy of your script that you can show to the pharmacy.

This takes out the need to wait for paper versions of your script to arrive or the need to visit a BCHS site to collect one - faster, safer, easier.

Some Bendigo pharmacies are also using apps that allow you to send the prescription straight to them but you need to ask if this service is available.

The e-script works on a barcode or token (QR Code) which when scanned provides all the information your pharmacist will need to fill your script.

To help us ensure the system works please make sure you provide or confirm your mobile phone number or email address to our Client Services staff when you book an appointment.

To read some of the most frequently asked questions around e-scripts and see a full list of pharmacies using e-scripts to our knowledge please click on the 'read more' button below.

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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
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BCHS recognises and thanks our volunteers
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From our executive

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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.