Health Victoria News - Department of Health Victoria Australia

Palliative care professionals are easing the burden of a life-limiting illness for people in the east with innovative programs that improve their quality of life.

Ern has reached a ton and he is still weighting

Ern Bates is still pumping iron.

Student gets first-hand lesson in stroke care

When psychology student Toni Withiel considered writing her thesis on stroke rehabilitation, she never imagined she would gain first-hand knowledge.

Heart expert’s warning on cardiovascular disease

MonashHeart Director Ian Meredith is warning those at risk of serious heart disease to avoid sitting on the couch waiting for a miracle cure.

Students at home working in Sunshine

A total of 132 medical students will undertake training at the new Western Centre for Health Research and Education in Sunshine during 2011.

General News

New Better Health Channel iPhone app
A free app for iPhone and iPad users will help Victorians conveniently locate local health services and learn more about medical conditions and treatments.

Looking after our littlest Victorians
The future is bright for some of the smallest and most vulnerable babies in the west after Sunshine Hospital auxiliary volunteers enabled the purchase of four incubators.

Experts hope booklet will lessen concerns
A booklet produced by Alfred Health experts will ensure coming to hospital for investigative tests is not so daunting.

Ambos go from mobile intensive care to care by mobile phone and other means
Giving blood transfusions, putting people into induced comas to improve brain injury recovery and sending 12-lead ECG readouts to cardiologists by mobile phone were not thought possible when Australia’s first Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) hit the road in Melbourne 40 years ago.

Ballarat district nurses celebrate a century of service to local and Grampians community
A series of events over six months marked Ballarat District Nursing and Healthcare centenary celebrations.

Volunteers ease traveller anxiety
More than 180 people have used the Medical Companion Project that provides volunteers to help regional travellers in Melbourne for health appointments.

…from the Secretary
Minister for Health David Davis has launched our Department’s new Better Health Channel mobile application.

Aged Care

Victorian and New Zealand seniors to share savings
Senior Victorians can now enjoy discounts offered by their Seniors Card abroad thanks to a historic deal between Victoria and New Zealand.

Programs provide positive approach to palliative care
Palliative care professionals are easing the burden of a life-limiting illness for people in the east with innovative programs that improve their quality of life.

Moyneyana movers walk around Victoria
Residents of Moyneyana House, a low-level aged care residential facility in Port Fairy, have managed to walk around Victoria – figuratively.

Ern has reached a ton and he is still weighting
Ern Bates is still pumping iron.

Mental Health and Drugs

Stable housing keeps residents on solid ground
Elizabeth Street Common Ground tenant Albert, 39, slipped into homelessness through deteriorating mental health combined with kidney disease.

Video urges outdoor activity
Mental health service provider Out Doors Inc. has produced a three-minute video and a 30-second television commercial promoting its activities.

Hospital and Health Services

Royal Children’s Hospital takes babies to heart
The Royal Children’s Hospital has been acknowledged as one of Australia’s leading hospitals in the treatment of paediatric congenital heart disease.

Ballarat cancer centre works on track
Work on the $55 million Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre is progressing well.

Shepparton cancer centre opens
Goulburn Valley Health’s new $1.9 million oncology unit has been officially opened in Shepparton.

Student gets first-hand lesson in stroke care
When psychology student Toni Withiel considered writing her thesis on stroke rehabilitation, she never imagined she would gain first-hand knowledge.

Thanks and praise for staff at Hamilton hospital
Aboriginal Elder and Glenelg Shire Councillor Ken Saunders cannot praise highly enough the efforts and dedication of the staff at the Hamilton Base Hospital.

Students at home working in Sunshine
A total of 132 medical students will undertake training at the new Western Centre for Health Research and Education in Sunshine during 2011.

Friends swap new lamp for old
The Friends of the Maryborough District Health Service hospital auxiliary has donated $3,500 for LED phototherapy equipment for the maternity unit.

Wellbeing and Integrated Care

Free vax for toddlers
A free, one-off dose of the new pneumococcal vaccine will be available until September 30, 2012 to children aged between 12 and 35 months.

Heart expert’s warning on cardiovascular disease
MonashHeart Director Ian Meredith is warning those at risk of serious heart disease to avoid sitting on the couch waiting for a miracle cure.

Hepburn Shire thinks pink
Hepburn Health Service and its voluntary women’s health working groups are tackling low participation rates for cervical and breast screening.

Walking group encourages family exercise
Students in grades three and four at Dimboola Primary School are taking part in a walking program with Wimmera Health Care group community health nurses.

Northern Health calls on residents to be aware of asthma in community
Northern Health used National Asthma Week to remind locals that you can help someone with asthma.

Breast screen service hits the regional road
A bright pink bus – fitted with state-of-the-art digital breast cancer screening equipment – is on the first lap of an ongoing road trip around small rural communities across Victoria.

North Richmond Community Health Centre open for business
Minister for Health David Davis has opened stage one of the $24 million redevelopment of the North Richmond Community Health Centre.