Health Victoria News - Department of Health Victoria Australia

Sick teddy bears were diagnosed and treated for a variety of conditions when Tyabb Primary School students visited Peninsula Health’s Teddy Bear Hospital with their soft toy companions.

Newborn screening consent uniform across State

A Department of Health policy around obtaining written consent from parents before newborn screening has been implemented in all maternity services across Victoria.

Government steps up fight against childhood obesity

A practical healthy eating advice hotline for early childhood services and schools will kick start the State Government’s new fight against childhood obesity

Pupils beat drum for local patients

A pilot project is helping people in Victoria’s northeast who have sustained damage to the nervous system that may impair physical, cognitive or communication ability

Local graduates add to Maryborough workforce

In 2008, Maryborough District Health Service joined forces with the University of Ballarat to develop and deliver an accredited nurse training program in Avoca and Maryborough.

Random visit a little ray of sunshine

Joshua Simpson giggles and ducks his head under the blankets as three Keilor Downs College students proceed into his Sunshine Hospital children’s ward room.

Hospital and Health Services

Major milestone in new Bendigo Hospital project
Victoria’s biggest-ever regional hospital project, the new world-class Bendigo Hospital, has moved a step closer to construction with a call for Expressions of Interest.

Teddies teach kids how hospitals operate
Sick teddy bears were diagnosed and treated for a variety of conditions when Tyabb Primary School students visited Peninsula Health’s Teddy Bear Hospital with their soft toy companions.

Cranbourne day surgery milestone
Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre’s Day Surgery Unit has celebrated its 10th year of service to local residents.

Hospital hosts students
Year 10 students from local high schools have taken part in a new work experience program at the Northern Hospital.

Random visit a little ray of sunshine
Joshua Simpson giggles and ducks his head under the blankets as three Keilor Downs College students proceed into his Sunshine Hospital children’s ward room.

Dialysis upgrade bonus for Brodie
The $1.25 million dialysis upgrade at East Grampians Health Service is helping people with kidney disease.

Pumps reduce drug dose errors
An innovative program has positioned Western Health at the forefront of medication safety.

Local graduates add to Maryborough workforce
In 2008, Maryborough District Health Service joined forces with the University of Ballarat to develop and deliver an accredited nurse training program in Avoca and Maryborough.

Enterprising project sees participants use their woodwork skills
Three years ago, Angus Stewart was an 18-year-old starting a pre-apprenticeship in woodwork.

Pupils beat drum for local patients
A pilot project is helping people in Victoria’s northeast who have sustained damage to the nervous system that may impair physical, cognitive or communication ability.

Aged Care

Festive fare for seniors – online
Victorian seniors will be able to enjoy more than 1,000 events during the 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival throughout October, including special events for rural towns affected by floods.

Dental care for residents
More than 45 Frankston and Hastings Supported Residential Services occupants have benefited from a dental health project providing improved access to free and comprehensive oral care.

General News

New Chief Executive for VicHealth
Executive Director of Leadership Victoria Jerril Rechter has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).

Boort stars in video promoting rural health careers
Boort District Health has been selected to represent rural health across Australasia in a promotional video produced by the Australasian College of Health Services Managers (ACHSM).

Postgraduate course information session
La Trobe University’s School of Human Biosciences and Public Health is holding a postgraduate information evening on Wednesday, October 12

Public treated to tunnel tours
About 1,200 visitors went behind the scenes at The Royal Melbourne when the hospital provided public access for the first time to its services tunnels.

Support for regional allied health workers
Annette Dunham expects to learn a lot about rural Victoria in her new role as education and training manager of the CPDWorks program for allied health professionals.

…from the Secretary
The Department of Health has signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Jiangsu Province of the People’s Republic of China.

Wellbeing and Integrated Care

DVD talks about sex
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, part of Alfred Health, has teamed with comedian and health activist Nelly Thomas to create an educational DVD to help parents lead discussions with teenagers about sex.

Speech therapy an aid to literacy for life
Literacy skills are still as important as ever despite increased use of technology to communicate, according to Wimmera Health Care Group’s Brooke Pay, raising awareness for Speech Pathology Week in the Horsham community.

Free bikes encourage pupils to ride to school
Merri Creek Primary School has received 20 free bikes and helmets as part of a joint Victorian Government and Bicycle Victoria initiative promoting physical activity.

Newborn screening consent uniform across State
A Department of Health policy around obtaining written consent from parents before newborn screening has been implemented in all maternity services across Victoria.

New centre researches chronic disease
Minister for Health David Davis has officially opened the new Centre of Excellence in Intervention and Prevention Science.

Government steps up fight against childhood obesity
A practical healthy eating advice hotline for early childhood services and schools will kick start the State Government’s new fight against childhood obesity.

Mental Health and Drugs

Preston mental health facility opens
People with a mental illness in Melbourne’s north now have access to a new 10‑bed short-stay residential prevention and recovery service.

Drugs strategy to help reduce overdoses
Victorians abusing drugs or alcohol are an important focus of the Government’s drug and alcohol strategy, says Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge.

International award for Ballarat facility design
The redeveloped Ballarat Health Services mental health facility has received an international design award.