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Bendigo NAIDOC Week calendar of events for 2021 - theme Heal Country

: Friday 25 June 2021; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services is a proud gold sponsor of Bendigo NAIDOC Week 2021.

It's part of our commitment to providing care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.

NAIDOC Week will run from July 4 to July 11 with the theme of 'Heal Country'.

To support the week we are sharing the official pdf Bendigo NAIDOC Week calendar of events (1.38 MB) .

Read our Acknowledgement to Country which is used before all internal and external meetings featuring Bendigo Community Health Services staff click here

Last updated: June 2021

Victorian Refugee Young Leader Award is great recognition for Ku Htee's wonderful work

: Wednesday 23 June 2021; Written by Rod

It's so exciting our Community Guide Ku Htee has won the 2021 Victorian Refugee Young Leader Award.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence MP announced the winners this afternoon.

“Victorian refugees and asylum seekers are a vital part of what makes Victoria so special and diverse – these awards are a wonderful way to celebrate their achievements and contributions,” Ros said.

Ku Htee is an absolute trailblazer ... the first refugee to complete a traineeship with BCHS and continuing that wonderful work today with the Settlement Services and Cultural Diversity and Relationships teams to keep the Karen community informed and educated on important health issues.

Ku Htee has been so important in helping to raise awareness and understanding in the Karen community about COVID-19 safety and the vaccine.

: Wednesday 23 June 2021; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services takes consumer rights seriously.

The rights of our consumers are important but so are the responsibilities of consumers in using our service.

Anyone who uses our services should be informed about rights as a service user and be aware of your responsibilities.

These are outlined below.

We appreciate your support and at times patience in following these guidelines.

You have the right to:

Be treated with courtesy and respect.
Receive health care which does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, sexuality or health status.
Individual, responsive and considerate care.
Prompt service, subject to staff availability.
Quality health care from trained and experienced staff.
Know the identity, professional status and qualifications of staff.
Request a transfer to, or obtain a second opinion from, an alternative health care worker from the same team, although this may involve travel to a different site.
Participate in decisions affecting your health care.
Have a friend, family member or professional advocate with you when receiving a service.
Decline any advice, information or treatment options given to you by your health care workers and to be fully informed of the consequences of that decision.
Refuse student involvement in the provision of your health care.
Refuse to participate in education or research programs.
Expect that information concerning you will be treated confidentially within Bendigo Community Health Services, according to privacy or information requirements.
Make a complaint about any matter to Bendigo Community Health Services and to have that complaint resolved through fair and adequate means.
Continue to receive services after making a complaint.

Consumer responsibilities:

Treat staff and others in the service with courtesy and respect.
Respect the privacy of others attending Bendigo Community Health Services.
Keep appointments and/or if unable to keep an appointment, to notify Bendigo Community Health Services as soon as possible.
Assist in planning your health care by giving accurate and complete information about your current health concerns.
Be actively involved in your own treatment, rehabilitation and health care.
Acknowledge the consequences of your decision if declining advance, information or treatment offered by a health care worker.
Respect any agreement made between you and your health care worker.

If you have any questions about your rights and responsibilities please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BCHS Consumer Information Book

To read or download a copy of our complete Consumer Information Book please click here

Last updated: June 2021

NDIS Bendigo - learn more about how the program can help you (Karen language)

: Tuesday 22 June 2021; Written by Rod

The National Disability Insurance Scheme supports people who have a permanent disability to achieve their goals.

You could qualify for NDIS support if you were born with a permanent disability or have acquired one later in life that severely impacts on the ability to do everyday tasks.

The NDIS can be very hard to understand for people using the scheme for the first time.

Our Settlement Services team have created this information booklet to help the Karen community learn more about disability and the NDIS.

To download and print out the information booklet pdf click here (4.60 MB)

This initiative has been created in partnership with Intereach, Rights Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC), Amicus, Carer Support Services and Bendigo Health.

VIDEO: Understanding the NDIS (Karen language)

Our Community Guide Ma Paw explains the NDIS to the Karen community. To watch the video click on the 'read more' button below:

: Friday 11 June 2021; Written by Rod

Super proud of our nurse practitioner Louise Holland who won the Outstanding Contribution by a Nurse/Midwife category of the Victorian Rural Health Awards last night.

Louise does so much for our Women's Health Clinic and Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub but in true style declines to take the credit for herself.

"None of my work is done in isolation and we have SUCH AN AMAZING TEAM that my sincere thanks go to all of you," Louise said.

Wonderful stuff and thanks for all you do.

To watch Louise's little presentation from last night's awards ceremony click on the 'read more' button below.

: Friday 4 June 2021; Written by Rod

Sexual health is such an important issue but one that society doesn't like to talk about all that much.

So we're teaming up with Thorne Harbour Country and Women's Health Loddon Mallee to change that with a special online chat for the LGBTIQA+ community at 5.30pm on June 24.

Our sexual health nurse Mary-Anne will join with Claudia from Thorne Harbour Country, Ashleigh from Women's Health Loddon Mallee and Adam from Thorne Harbour Health to talk all things sexual health and most importantly answer any questions you might have.

You can absolutely do this anonymously by turning off your camera and displaying your preferred title if identity is an issue.

Or you can send questions in and the panel will answer them during the event.

RELATED INFORMATION

Bendigo Community Health Services calls for expressions of interest for new LGBTIQA+ Community Reference Group

Last updated: June 2021

Bendigo bottle shops urged to check ID for anyone who appears 25 or younger

: Thursday 3 June 2021; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services has called on bottle shops to stay vigilant in asking for identification before selling alcohol.

The call comes after the BCHS Health Promotion team conducted a Supply Monitoring Project that saw three volunteers aged over 18 but appearing 'underage' visit 30 Bendigo bottle shops to buy alcohol without identification.

BCHS volunteers found 16 bottle shops sold alcohol without requesting identification.

Two outlets asked for identification but sold alcohol despite the buyer saying they had no ID on them.

The remaining 12 bottle shops requested identification and refused to sell alcohol when ID could not be produced.

The Victorian Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 states it's illegal to supply alcohol or permit liquors to be supplied to a person under the age of 18 years.

It's considered 'best practice' for alcohol sale outlets to request ID for anyone appearing 25 years or younger.

BCHS Health Promotion team member Kahla Else said bottle shops had a responsibility to ensure Liquor Licensing Laws were followed to protect young people.

"If we are serious about reducing the impact alcohol has on communities then it's essential that the practices and laws put in place to protect young people and stop habits being formed are strictly followed," Ms Else said.

"It was encouraging that 12 bottle shops followed the law to the letter but really disappointing 18 did not.

: Tuesday 1 June 2021; Written by Rod

Gerard joined Bendigo Community Health Services in February 2019 after being CEO for Mildura Rural City Council from October 2014.

He has extensive experience working in the local government, community and not-for-profit sectors.

Prior to joining Mildura Rural City Council, Gerard was CEO of Greater Taree City Council on the mid-north coast of New South Wales for over seven years.

Gerard’s career also includes time as Director of Health and Community Services at Ringwood and Heidelberg Councils, Director of Community Services and Acting CEO at the Shire of Campaspe and Director of Community Services at the City of Knox.

Gerard has also worked for the Municipal Association of Victoria, Spastic Society of Victoria (now known as Scope); the Outer East Regional Housing Association, STAY Youth Refuge and the YMCA.

As CEO, Gerard is responsible for the implementation of Board decisions; providing strategic advice to Board Directors; working with the Board on the Strategic Plan and the day-to-day leadership and management of all BCHS services and activities.

Gerard is married and has four children and two grandchildren.

Outside of BCHS he is a Board Member of Haven Home Safe, a tragic Collingwood Football supporter, enjoys woodworking, reading, writing, social research and watching most sports.

Last updated: June 2021

Bendigo COVID-19 vaccine: Let's have a chat about those myths you have been hearing about

: Monday 31 May 2021; Written by Rod

There's so many myths doing the rounds about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Everything from the vaccine will give you COVID-19 to the vaccine will ... wait for it .... connect you to the internet!

So our Health Promotion team has made a series of videos to set the record straight.

PLEASE ... do your research about the vaccine and don't listen to conspiracy theories or the advice of 'someone' who heard 'something' from 'someone'.

For the latest information on AstraZeneca vaccine and the risks pdf click here (452 KB)

For the latest reliable information use the Department of Health website click here

Where to get your COVID-19 vaccine in Bendigo

Bendigo Community Health Services is delivering COVID-19 vaccines to people aged 60 and over and the 1B category. To book the next available appointment call 5406 1200.

Please note we are not the Bendigo Community Clinic offering priority access for aged care residents, carers and staff. This is Bendigo Health. Details below.

If you are aged under 60, want the vaccine immediately or are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine we recommend you use the Bendigo Health Vaccination Hub at 113-133 Mollison Street. The hub is open from 10am to 5pm daily. Call 1800 675 398 to make an appointment. The hub accepts limited walk-in appointments each day.

To watch Belle and Kahla discuss the first COVID-19 myth, please click on the 'read more' button below.

: Monday 17 May 2021; Written by Rod

We love this Get Moving For Healthy Ageing program being run through May and June by the Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat libraries.

The program features free exercise classes for people aged 60 plus with motto of Seniors, Let's Move encouraging people to try something new and get moving.

Among the activities you can try are Tai Chi, hula hooping, gentle yoga and silver top dance therapy.

That sure sounds like fun! Here's all you need to know about the free classes, times and venues pdf click here (1.13 MB)

Did you know we run a host of programs designed to keep seniors healthy, well and living independently.

To learn more about our Active Living Program and how we can help you click here

Last updated: May 2021

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.

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Bendigo NAIDOC Week calendar of events for 2021 - theme Heal Country

Victorian Refugee Young Leader Award is great recognition for Ku Htee's wonderful work