BCHS has pinpointed seven essential projects requiring government and/or philanthropic support. Together, we know that can grow and greatly improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of our community.
We have met with local federal candidates in the lead up to the federal election campaign, during which we have advocated for the following initiatives for Bendigo:
Community Paediatric Clinic
Bendigo Community Health Services provides the only bulk billing paediatric service in the Loddon Mallee region.
Despite our multidisciplinary nurse-led model triaging children based on need, families are waiting up to 12 months for an appointment with a paediatrician.
We make the most of limited staff and resources, but we need more of both to meet current and increasing demand and complexity within our community.
Community Connector service
Homelessness in Bendigo has increased 93.4 per cent since 2016.
This fact is changing the CBD, particularly around the library, which is being accessed more and more by patrons with complex needs.
Since June 2023, a Community Connections Project Worker, based at the library, has supported people in vulnerable situations to access health and economic care, housing/shelter, food, safety and more.
Funding for the role is due to end in December 2025. Without this now-vital program, we predict huge impacts on clients, library staff and the wider Greater Bendigo community.
headspace GP clinic
Local youth trust Bendigo headspace. Having a specialist youth GP onsite is encouraging and allowing young people to access health services beyond mental health and wellbeing, in a place they feel welcome, safe and comfortable.
The headspace funding model does not cover the cost of a GP service. We need a properly-funded primary health service utilising the MBS, within the headspace model. Without it, there will be less early intervention care for local youth.
CP@Clinic (community paramedics)
We know many people are putting off visiting GPs due to rising costs, while others can’t access doctors due to shortages across the region.
A CP@clinic can help fill the gap and make use of a ready-made workforce of community paramedics either at the start of their careers, or post having worked in the ambulance system.
CP@clinic is an evidenced-based model, developed in Canada by McMaster University and adapted to the Australian setting by Sunraysia Community Health Services and research partners McMaster University and La Trobe University’s Violet Vines Mashman Centre for Rural Health Research.
We require funding to trial a CP@Clinic locally.
Refugee & migrant health resources
BCHS has delivered Settlement Services to refugees since 2010, assisting our clients to settle in Bendigo and establish jobs, education, homes, meaningful community connections and participation in the social, economic, and cultural life of the city.
To complement initial settlement needs, we have initiated culturally-appropriate clinical services; GPs, nurses and counsellors, plus programs to build health and service literacy and safe living. These programs help contribute to Bendigo being a destination of choice for multicultural communities.
As conflicts heighten and foreign aid is cut overseas, refugees are arriving with more complex health needs. Our current Refugee Health Clinic is operating at capacity and with short-term funding.
Residential withdrawal unit
BCHS has operated the five-bed/three-bathroom residential withdrawal unit, Nova House, for the past 20 years, enabling people from across Victoria to safely withdraw from drug and alcohol addiction, however 50 per cent of our referrals are not suitable to attend.
The small former nursing home that houses Nova House is not fit for purpose. It does not have capacity to support clients with more complex and cooccurring health conditions, hence a large proportion of referrals being declined. These people either travel to Melbourne to withdraw, or they simply don’t receive help.
Vacant land behind our new Wanyanimbik Wayawan AOD Wellbeing Centre presents an ideal opportunity to develop a new 20-bed, 20-bathroom unit that connects to our wrap-around AOD services and is culturally safe, in partnership with BDAC.
Welcoming and fit-for-purpose buildings
With the exception of our Eaglehawk building, with its refurbishment nearing completion, our remaining sites do not adequately accommodate our services, community or staff.
BCHS is bursting at the seams. Our facilities are tired and do not always meet community expectations of a health service.
We have run out of room for our corporate staff. We do not have enough clinical rooms to meet demand, or even accommodate our current number of clinicians.
We need to refurbish and extend our Kangaroo Flat site, and re-fit our central Hargreaves Street site, or purchase a new central site to take us into the next 50 years of community health.
Get in touch
Email us for more information on any or all of these projects. We welcome your interest, support and ideas.
