Media and event information
One of these achievements was the signing of the Close the Gap Charter of Agreement in May, which ensures the Aboriginal community receives health services in a culturally appropriate way.
We are committed to closing the gap be-tween life expectancy of an Aboriginal member of our community and that of a white member, and we have worked with a number of groups in the area to achieve this, the most significant being the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA). The framed Commitment is displayed in a prominent position in our reception area, pledging our goal of closing the 17 year life expectancy gap. We also recognised long serving staff member Mel Beveridge at the AGM, who this year celebrated 30 years of service with GLCH. Mel works as a Case Manager with our Homelessness Support Program. Life membership of GLCH was awarded to Lorraine "Laurie" Aldred, who was instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for medical equipment as President of GLCH’s Auxiliary for more than 15 years. The Auxiliary disbanded in 2009 and their remaining bank balance was donated to GLCH for the purchase of an Oxygen Saturation Machine. Laurie has committed her life to a wide range of community activities, in-cluding many years of devoted service to GLCH. Guest Speaker Jennifer Dobell, Director of Business Services for the Aus-tralian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) spoke about the role the ACNC will have in monitoring charities and not-for-profit organisa-tions in the face of government reforms. Community Health Services Unit Executive Manager Angela Ellis and Allied Health Assistant (AHA) Julianne Webb presented on creating a sustainable AHA workforce. This approach was highly commended and one of five finalists at the state-wide Victorian Healthcare Association awards. We also confirmed the election of new Board Directors Harvey Bates and Ian Dunkley who have filled positions made vacant by the retirement of Mike Anketell and the resignation of Adrian Jackson. We thank our former Directors for their support and welcome both Harvey and Ian.
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The VHA Award seeks to recognise health services that demonstrate a sustainable approach to changing their model of care to reflect the needs of their community.
GLCH’s entry focuses on the growth and development of its allied health service through the expansion of the allied health assistant (AHA) workforce.
GLCH’s team of 11 allied health assistants work with the allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, speech pathologists, podiatrists, dietetics, exercise physiologists and occupational therapists to deliver services.
GLCH’s Executive Director of Community Health Services Angela Ellis said it was wonderful to be recognised as a finalist.
“Our allied health assistants are highly valued and skilled staff members and are an integral part of our service,” she said.
“They not only help to develop and deliver services to the community but they also enable more time for the health professionals to look after and support clients with more complex needs”
“Thanks to our allied health assistant workforce, we have been able to develop new programs and tackle some of the previously unmet need for services such as paediatric allied health. We have worked hard at remodeling our service with this support workforce to be able to provide to best service we can for the whole of the community”.
GLCH also recently showcased its allied health service at the inaugural Allied Health Assistant Conference held in Beechworth in June, where they were awarded the most outstanding presentation.
The winner of the Victorian Healthcare Association annual award will be announced at the VHA Annual Policy Conference in Melbourne on Thursday 11 October. All of the finalists, including GLCH, will give a presentation about their entry, at the awards ceremony.
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And Gippsland Lakes Community Health offers supervised exercise groups such as Tai Chi and weights in a friendly environment that focuses on managing the conditions of osteoarthritis, by improving strength, balance and functional ability.
GLCH Exercise Physiologist David McLaughlin said performing regular exercises will help to reduce pain, as well as strengthen muscles and improve physical function for osteoarthritis sufferers.
“Osteoarthritis can often limit or prevent people from taking part in activities they enjoy doing,” Mr McLaughlin said.
“There is no magic pill or cure for osteoarthritis, but taking part in regular exercise therapy can really help.”
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a chronic joint disease and a leading cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability. It is most common in weight bearing joints, especially the knees and hips.
It is a condition that affects people as they age, but sufferers can also include those with muscle weakness or previous joint injuries. Females and people carrying excess weight are also susceptible.
GLCH runs Tai Chi for Arthritis and other exercise sessions on a daily basis for a small fee. No GP referral is necessary; everyone is welcome regardless of age or ability.
If you do suffer from osteoarthritis and joint pain and would like more information about management please contact GLCH Community Health Services on 5155 8370.
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The services, which include occupational therapy and podiatry, began 22 August. Lions Club of Metung raised $16,710 to purchase equipment to allow the services to operate.
Equipment purchased includes a podiatry drill; treatment couch and podiatry chair; an ultrasound machine; and a Doppler machine, which measures blood flow and blood pressure.
A vital signs monitor, used to monitor a patient’s vital signs, was also purchased for use by the medical staff.
The service has been warmly welcomed by the Metung community, which has worked hard to re-establish community health services in the area.
“Gippsland Lakes Community Health has worked with the local community to ensure they have access to these much needed services,” GLCH Chief Executive Officer Sue Medson OAM said.
“We warmly congratulate and thank the Lions Club of Metung and the community for their sponsorship and donations.”
Lions Club of Metung Past President Peter Payne said the club was thrilled to be able to sponsor the clinic. “This is an important service for our community and one which we hope will continue to grow.”
The GLCH Metung site is open every Tuesday morning from 9am-12pm. Donations to support the Metung service are still warmly welcome. To donate or for an appointment please phone 5155 8300.
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The generous donation will be used to purchase iPads and software, which GLCH speech therapists will use in their work with children with speech and language difficulties.
The donation was made possible through Dahlsens’ Mates Rates loyalty program, which gives customers a 5 percent discount on products. Dahlsens then matches 1 percent of that discount, with the total dollar amount going into a community fund, which is used to assist worthy community initiatives.
GLCH Speech Pathologist Lyn Nicol began using an iPad to deliver therapy to children 6 months ago, and says it is a hugely useful and valuable developmental tool and is delighted to be able to use this locally with the children she is working with.
“iPads work very well in teaching articulation,” Lyn said. “The programs we can use on the iPad have many applications some can record what the children say, so they can hear it back, it can also help with putting visual aids to words. Therapy becomes fun.
“We are finding that the children really respond to this form of therapy. It really helps in holding their attention and keeping them engaged throughout their session.”
GLCH Executive Manager of Community Health Services Angela Ellis said GLCH was currently providing allied health services to over eighty local children, many of whom will benefit from this additional equipment supported through the Dahlsens donation.
“We have developed an extensive range of paediatric allied health services and programs in an attempt to best meet the needs of the community,” she said.
“Donations such as this ensure our programs’ continued success and supports us to deliver the latest best practice quality services.”
Dahlsens Lakes Entrance manager Geoff Downing said he was thrilled to help out. “It’s wonderful to be able to support initiatives that really help the community,” he said.
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"Walk this Way aims to connect the community with their natural environment, whicle getting them outdoors and active," explained Andrea Farley, integrated health promotion worker at GLCH.
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“Walk this Way aims to connect the community with their natural environment, while getting them outdoors and active”, explained Andrea Farley, integrated health promotion worker at GLCH.
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...winner of a Beauty Package raffled by Gippsland Lakes Community Health to raise funds for their Meals on Wheels program.
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Applications for persons with skills and knowledge in marketing, policy development and review, commercial and / or legal matters are particularly encouraged to apply.
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The Finance Committee provides the Board with assurance and assistance in the areas of budget, financial management and financial accountability.
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After many years of hard work, the Committee are pleased to announce that construction of the new medical centre is underway.
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“Physiotherapists assist people with disorders which may have been present from birth, acquired through accident or injury, or the result of life-changing major events such as stroke or the development of a disease of the nervous system,” explained Nicole Kee, one of the Physiotherapists at GLCH.
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The after-hours services are specifically aimed at treating clients who work during the day, secondary students who commute from Bairnsdale and Sale, and others who for a variety of reasons - cannot attend GLCH’s services inside normal business hours.
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The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and the Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins, recently announced the sites and community organisations that will participate in the trial project.
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At Gippsland Lakes Community Health we can offer you a supportive, well-resourced general practice together with flexible hours, a competitive salary and generous tax benefits. Enjoy a great lifestyle in a beautiful coastal location.
The double certificate in certificate III Home and Community Care and certificate III Disability Work is customised to meet the needs of clients who want to stay in their own homes rather than move into residential care.
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“A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has additional skills and qualifications which entitles them to practise in an advanced and extended clinical role,” explained Cheryl Bush, executive manager of Clinical and Nursing Services at GLCH.
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WorkHealth checks provide Victorian workers with the opportunity to receive a free convenient and confidential health check in the workplace.
The Helping Children with Autism initiative aims to address the need for support and services for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families, providing eligible children up to the age of seven with access to early intervention funding of up to $12 000 (up to $6000 per financial year).
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