Take the First Step this autumn with BCHS
Bendigo Community Health Services is sending out a city-wide invitation to Take the First Step to healthy eating and active living.
Autumn is undoubtedly the best time in Bendigo to get out to the many parks, gardens, pools, walking and cycling paths and get started on the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day.
Likewise, the season brings lots of fresh of fresh produce, and much of it locally grown. BCHS is encouraging locals to munch on a granny smith, snack on a pear, plus incorporate the optimal five veggies into their daily meals.
Launching hope and care for those with endometriosis and pelvic pain
Bendigo Community Health Services will mark International Women’s Day with a step in the right direction for people experiencing the challenges of endometriosis and pelvic pain.
The day will feature Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon Ged Kearney officially opening the federally-funded* BCHS Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic.
Assistant Minister Kearney will tour the Hargreaves Street clinic, meet staff and guests and talk about the impact of a condition that affects at least one in nine Australian women.
BCHS nurse Mary-Anne McCluskey said that impact was huge, yet often under-recognised.
Tough Talks vaping video reveals concerns of young people in Bendigo
Bendigo Community Health Services’ Health Promotion team spoke to young people about the dirty tactics the tobacco industry uses to get a new generation hooked on nicotine. And then we made a video to record the young people’s reactions.
BCHS to highlight pain points of local women and girls
Bendigo Community Health Services has welcomed the State Government’s inquiry into women’s pain.
BCHS will contribute a submission to the inquiry, which seeks to address the challenges girls and women face when seeking care for pain, and ultimately improve models of care and service delivery.
As a provider of health care to the community for 50 years, and a dedicated Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic, BCHS is at the frontline of what women and girls face, day-by-day.
BCHS to highlight pain points of local women and girls
Bendigo Community Health Services has welcomed the State Government’s inquiry into women’s pain, announced this week.
BCHS will contribute a submission to the inquiry, which seeks to address the challenges girls and women face when seeking care for pain, and ultimately improve models of care and service delivery.
As a provider of health care to the community for 50 years, and a dedicated sexual and reproductive health hub, BCHS is at the frontline of what women and girls face, day-by-day.
Support is here for those with endometriosis symptoms
Bendigo Community Health Services now features one of Australia’s first endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.
Thanks to dedicated Federal Government funding, BCHS has established a specialist team of health professionals to provide early access to care and treatment for those with endometriosis symptoms.
The condition affects at least one in nine Australian women and can have significant impacts on their lives.
Dr Karishma Kaur said BCHS recognises endometriosis and pelvic pain can be debilitating and complex.
BCHS supports pill testing at festivals in 2024 and beyond
Bendigo Community Health Services is calling for a Victorian drug checking service, following the overdoses at the Hardmission music festival.
BCHS Executive Leader Wellbeing, Inclusion and Independence, Dale Hardy, said with many more high profile music festivals planned for the state, now was the time to prepare to protect festival goers from potentially harmful substances.
BCHS brings nationally-known smalltalk playgroups to Bendigo and Heathcote
Bendigo Community Health Services is expanding its smalltalk program in 2024 to include free weekly supported playgroup sessions in Heathcote, Long Gully, Eaglehawk, Ironbark and Kangaroo Flat.
smalltalk is a national program developed by the Parenting Research Centre which promotes strategies to enhance learning at home for children from birth to school age.
Early childhood educator and group facilitator Tiffany Holschier said strategies covered in the playgroup sessions included being warm and gentle, tuning in with children, reading together and engaging children in interesting and stimulating activities, often using readily available recources.
BCHS welcomes regional health advocate, Mandy Hutchinson, as new Chief Executive Officer
Bendigo Community Health Services has begun its 50th year in the city with a new Chief Executive Officer.
The health service this week welcomed Mandy Hutchinson to lead its 270-plus staff into the next era of caring for local people’s health and wellbeing.
Mandy was most recently CEO of Northern District Community Health, which services the communities around the Kerang region of Victoria.
Prior to that six-year appointment Mandy was the Gannawarra Shire Council’s first Director Community Wellbeing.
BCHS encourages people who vape to reach for support now
Bendigo Community Health Services is encouraging the community to access support services in the wake of new vaping reforms.
As of January 1, 2024, the importation of all disposable vapes, or e-cigarettes, has been banned.
When existing stock has been depleted, the only way for community members to purchase reusable vapes for therapeutic use (such as quitting cigarettes) will be from a pharmacist, after gaining a doctor’s prescription.
Senior Health Promotion Officer Siobhan Sullivan said the legislation change is likely to have a significant impact on people who have taken up recreational vaping.
