Bendigo Community Health Services is a place you can go to for health and well-being care, no matter who you are, where you live or how much you earn. We are a not-for-profit organisation located in the City of Greater Bendigo.
We offer a range of primary and community health services, most of which are free or have minimal cost and are available to anyone and everyone.
Below you will find a list of the services we deliver. Our website www.bchs.com.au will carry more indepth information on these services or you can call 5406 1200 to ask any questions.
If you have an emergency please call 000 immediately.
Alcohol and other drugs counselling services (adult & youth)
Brief and ongoing counselling support, assessment and referrals for individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug use. Youth alcohol and drug counselling provides supportive counselling for young people 16 to 25 years.
Alcohol and drug co-ordination and recovery support
Provides support, advocacy and service co-ordination for individuals and families attending alcohol and drug treatment programs. Supports include advocacy, health, welfare, education and employment services.
Alcohol and drug group programs
Group programs include; Relapse Prevention, Skills for Life and Collaborative Therapy. These are facilitated by qualified alcohol and drug staff to assist in your treatment and recovery from alcohol and drug use.
Blood borne virus and sexually transmittable infection clinic
Provides testing for Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmittable Infections (STI) as well as providing specific information and health advice.
Child health invest
Child Health Invest is our Community Paediatric team. It provides holistic, and comprehensive health and well-being assessments for children. A referral from a GP is required.
Chronic disease management
We will work with you and your doctor to help you manage your diabetes or respiratory condition.
Community education
Alcohol and Other Drugs, Sexual Health, Chronic Disease Management. Specialist Infectious Diseases program (Hepatitis C and other BBV/STI). School and workplace education and information sessions available. Guest speakers are available to address groups on a number of health and wellbeing issues. Workplace health and wellbeing programs are also available.
Community Diabetes Clinic
A specialised Diabetic GP led clinic seeking to assist local practices to better manage diabetic patients in partnership with the Bendigo Health Endocrinology clinic. The clinic is a collaboration of the BCHS Medical Practice and Chronic Disease Management program, providing interim specialised medical advice and support to people with Type 2 Diabetes.
Complex case service
Intense short term case management and service coordination for eligible refugees and migrants.
Culturally sensitive counselling
This service is available to people of a refugee background. It allows you to talk in a relaxed private space about your worries, and start to find ways to cope with them. You will receive acceptance, support and respect in a safe, neutral and non-judgmental environment.
Counselling and mental health
Brief and ongoing counselling, assessment, referral for individuals, families, children and groups working towards better health and well being - depression, anxiety, addictive behaviours, relationship and family difficulties, grief and loss.
Diabetes education service
Education and information on the management of diabetes for individuals, families or groups.
Diabetes prevention
Free program to help understand how to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Early childhood intervention
Provides a family based program for children (0-6 years of age) with a developmental delay or disability.
Elmore planned activity group
Offers support to frail, aged or disabled men and women to assist to maintain independence in the Elmore Community.
Exercise physiology
Offers exercise and lifestyle support to assist in the prevention and management of health conditions and rehabilitation as part of our Active Living Program.
To learn more about Exercise Physiology service click here
To learn more about our Active Living Program click here
Falls and balance exercise program
To reduce falls risks in adults, crease strength and balance.
Family day care
Provides quality care for children up to 12 years of age in the homes of approved educators.
Family drug support
Initial telephone response, consultation and support to family and carers of people who use alcohol and drugs (including ICE). A qualified alcohol and drug counsellor will provide support, information and education to you and your family.
Family services
Assist and support families to develop, maintain and strengthen their independence, skills and well being and promote positive parenting skills.
Family support parenting programs
These parenting programs assist families to strengthen their practical skills for family living and communication, promotes healthy and harmonious relationships, supports families to build on positive
strategies to manage the challenges facing families today.
Headspace
Supports young people between the ages of 12 and 25 who are experiencing difficulties. Phone 5434 5345.
Health justice partnerships
Works with families by directly addressing their unmet legal needs, working with health professionals and advocates.
Health Promotion
We can work with your school, business or community group to make health a priority. Best of all, we will help you identify health priorities, plan for change and then monitor progress so everyone can enjoy the success. What's more ... it's FREE! To find out more about our Health Promotion team click here
Helping children with autism & Better Start services
Please contact the Early Childhood Intervention Team for further information.
Medical practice
A range of medical practitioners offering general practice services based in our Central, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat locations.
Men’s health clinic
Offers a range of male friendly services, including health assessments, information, referral and annual check-ups.
Mental health programs
Mental Health related services providing assessment and interventions specific to individual presentations within an evidence based, Recovery framework. The services include:
Generalist Counselling; Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program; Psychological Treatment Services; Refugee Torture and Trauma Counselling. These services are provided at no direct charge to consumers and are available for children, youth and adults. Mental Health Plans are required for the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program and the Psychological Treatment Service. A referral is not required for the Generalist Counselling Services.
Mobile drug safety worker
An experienced harm reduction worker is available to individuals anonymously to access NSP services and receive harm reduction education, information and support.
NDIS services
To see what NDIS supports we provide please click here
Needle syringe program (NSP) outreach team
NSP provides clean injecting equipment, safe sex and health information, harm reduction education, support and referral to health and welfare services. Phone: 1800 636 514
7.30pm-10.45pm Tuesday – Saturday.
Non-residential withdrawal support service
Provides non-residential withdrawal treatment and support services in conjunction with your medical practitioner. Service is available through; outreach, home based, outpatient and in hospital supported withdrawal. See below for our residential withdrawal support service Nova House.
Options clinic
Sexual health and family planning services for men and women.
Physiotherapy
Offers advice and treatment for treating injuries, pain and stiffness in joints and/or muscles and adult and paediatric physiotherapy services.
To learn more about our NDIS physiotherapy services for children please click here
Podiatry
Foot health for clients who are older, have a disability or a chronic illness. Diabetes foot health assessments and community education sessions available.
To learn more about our Podiatry service click here
Quit smoking program
Free program to help reduce or quit smoking.
Refugee health nurse
Support individuals, families and refugee communities to improve their health and wellbeing.
Refugee settlement services
Provides services for people of refugee backgrounds from year one to year five post arrival. Migrants with low English proficiency also eligible. Education about faith and culture available.
Residential withdrawal support service (Nova House)
Nova House is an adult residential withdrawal program for people undertaking alcohol and or drug withdrawal. The program is open to individuals 21 years and over who live in Victoria. An assessment process is required to ensure people are suited for Nova House.
Respiratory management
This service is designed for individuals and families to learn more about lung health, asthma management and smoking
cessation.
Sexual health and family planning
An informal and confidential setting to assist both men and women in making informed choices and decisions on their sexual and reproductive health.
Specialist pharmacotherapy
Specialist alcohol and drug medical or nurse practitioners provide Methadone and Buprenorphine (Opiate Replacement Therapy) treatment.
Strength training and conditioning
Conducted at our Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehawk sites to increase physical activity and provide social opportunities for older persons.
Strength training is for people aged 55+ to increase strength and conditioning to help you keep living indepenently.
To learn more about our strength training and condition serivce pdf click here (1.18 MB)
Women’s health clinic
Provides pap smears, breast health check and offers advise and information on a range of women’s health issues including sexual and contraceptive health.
Workplace and employment health promotion
BCHS can work with you to develop workplace health programs.
Workplace education
Bendigo Community Health Services, supports businesses in their pursuit of creating a health promoting workplace. A health promoting workplace is one where employers value the health and wellbeing of their workers.
Youth counselling service
For young people under 25 years, individual sessions and support available. Includes alcohol and drug counselling.
Youth health services
Provides a youth friendly health service including GP’s, Nurses and Counsellors.
If you or a loved one needs help in any of these areas, get in touch with your nearest branch of BCHS by calling 5406 1200.
Page last updated: September 2019.
