Training medical practitioners on how to assess and respond to non-fatal strangulation
GPs across Australia will now have a better understanding of how to assess and respond to people who have experienced non-fatal strangulation.
Bendigo Community Health Services has released a new training video, which helps medical practitioners know how to talk to victim survivors, educates them on what to look for during examinations and highlights the importance of scans, further investigation and documentation.
Non-fatal strangulation or choking is a common tactic used by perpetrators of family and domestic violence, which can result in loss of consciousness and restricted air or blood flow to the brain.
Victims have an increased risk of lethality, hospitalisation, stroke and acquired brain injury.
Strangulation is involved in one third of family violence related homicides.
New BCHS advertisement: are you up to date with your vaccinations?
BCHS warns of poppy seed risks
Bendigo Community Health Services is warning of the current risks associated with some batches of commercially available poppy seeds.
There has been an increasing number of people presenting to Victorian hospital emergency departments in recent days, after brewing poppy seed tea.
Some brews have resulted in severe cases of toxicity, and in at least one case cardiac arrest.
More than 19 people have been hospitalised in Australia since November 9.
The Victorian Department of Health has advised there may be a contaminant in readily available, supermarket poppy seeds that is causing this reaction.
It is possible poppy seeds currently available may have a much higher thebaine content (an opioid alkaloid), however other causes have not been excluded and remain under investigation.
Mental Health Month a reminder to be kinder to ourselves and others
BENDIGO Community Health Services is encouraging people to use Mental Health Month as a reminder to be kind to themselves and others.
October is a time when people come together to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all.
Bendigo Community Health Services Mental Health Clinician, Oriane Landry, says while this month focuses on mental health, we should always be mindful that many people are carrying heavy loads and ‘we can all be kinder to ourselves and those around us’.
“Across the globe, we are experiencing worker shortages and cost of living pressures,” she said.
“Most people are carrying the heaviest load (physically and metaphorically) they’ve ever carried, and the road ahead is long.
We’re delivering important road safety education for new arrivals to Bendigo
A program for new Bendigo residents arriving from overseas is making our roads safer for all – while building important relationships.
Bendigo Community Health Services is delivering the road safety program thanks to a State Government Community Road Safety grant.
Through the program, newly arrived migrants and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds aged over 21 years are increasing their road safety knowledge, awareness and skills.
The program supports new residents to understand road rules, along with pedestrian, cyclist and driver behaviour – building their confidence on Victorian roads.
Participants who hold a licence can also access up to two paid professional driving lessons with a driving instructor.
Get your comfy shoes out, This Girl Can week is all about you
Girls and women of Bendigo, it’s time to get your comfy shoes out – the next two weeks are all about you.
Bendigo Community Health Services, Sports Focus and City of Greater Bendigo are inviting you to a fortnight of fun, free, female-friendly activities as part of the This Girl Can movement.
Head of Vichealth’sThis Girl Can (Victoria), Rebecca Ahern says the week is about creating more opportunities for women be active in their local community, no matter their age, background, or abilities.
“This Girl Can – Victoria is all about celebrating what women can do, whether that’s a walk around the block or a few laps of the pool,” she said.
Australian-first research study ‘Learnings from a pandemic – connecting with communities in social housing’
Bendigo Community Health Services today joined Swinburne University of Technology, Connect Health and Community, Star Health, Merri Health and Peninsula Health to launch the Australian-first research study ‘Learnings from a pandemic – connecting with communities in social housing’.
The five community health organisations worked with Swinburne to undertake research into the lived experiences of social housing residents and managers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each organisation was responsible for delivering the High-Risk Accommodation Response program, which was co-designed by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and community health providers across the state, to engage with and respond to the needs of vulnerable communities during the multiple COVID peaks and outbreaks in these settings.
BCHS urges liquor outlets to ask for identification
Bendigo Community Health Services is urging takeaway liquor outlets to recognise their responsibility not to serve alcohol to people under the age of 18.
Our latest Supply Monitoring audit, which involves a number of people appearing ‘under age’ visiting 30 Bendigo outlets to purchase alcohol without identification, found:
- 11 sold alcohol without first asking for ID
- 1 sold alcohol even after the purchaser said they did not have ID
- 18 outlets asked for ID and refused to sell if the purchaser didn’t have any
- 29 per cent of chain outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
- 67 per cent of independent outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
- 70 per cent of franchise outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
- 76 per cent of audited stores were almost empty at the time of purchase, and of the 23 per cent quite busy outlets 43 per cent sold alcohol without asking for ID.
BCHS Board of Directors – call for nominations
BCHS currently has three positions for strategic and collaborative leaders to join our board, who will help guide and grow our organisation into the future.
Bendigo Community Health Services delivers more than 50 programs across the region, which help people live healthier and more connected lives.
This includes access to GPs, along with services covering families and children, mental health and counselling, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, men’s and women’s health clinics, supporting the LGBTIQ community and refugee settlement. BCHS also helps people manage specific health and wellbeing needs, such as managing their mental health or living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory issues or heart disease.
Embracing the spirit of friendship
At a time when the world feels unstable, the people of Greater Bendigo are being called upon to embrace the spirit of friendship this weekend.
Bendigo Community Health Services, the City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and Believe in Bendigo are encouraging residents to celebrate the International Day of Friendship, which falls annually on July 30.
The United Nations International Day of Friendship was proclaimed with the ‘idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities’.
