Benalla Health

BENALLA HEALTH MATERNITY UNIT UPDATE Benalla Health is dedicated to delivering exceptional care and ensuring a safe and high-quality maternity service. To ensure we are delivering the best care for our community we have commenced a review to support the development of our maternity services and model of care. As part of this review, we will be collaborating and consulting with key stakeholders such as the Department of Health, our GP Obstetricians, GP’s, regional hospitals (Northeast Health Wangaratta and Goulburn Valley Health), our midwives, and the Benalla Community to explore sustainable models of care. During this review we will be pausing our birthing services until January 2025 but are committed to recommencing them once the review is completed. During the review, we will work closely with our community and local GPs to ensure that all mothers are able to birth safely at a nearby hospital of their choice. We will however continue to offer a range of essential services to support expectant and new mothers. These services include Free Antenatal Clinics, Antenatal Classes, Early Pregnancy Classes, Breastfeeding support provided by a Lactation Consultant, Domiciliary care for post-birth home care, and Postnatal care for mothers returning to Benalla Health after giving birth. Our ultimate aim is to maintain a maternity service that consistently delivers Best Care to Every Person, Every Time. If you would like to be involved in our Maternity Consultative Group please email executive@benallahealth.org.au. For more detailed information on the services mentioned above, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Benalla Health Maternity Unit at (03) 5761 4749 or via email at midwifery@benallahealth.org.au. Jackie Kelly Chief Executive Officer

BENALLA HEALTH CELEBRATES DIVERSITY. Wear It Purple Day helps unite LGBTQIA+ youth and allies in creating a more inclusive future for all Australians. • We promote Allyship and support proud parents, friends and colleagues in creating safe spaces at home, school and work. • We promote and support diversity in our large youth workforce (students and graduates) • 1 year ago we proudly raised the Rainbow Flag and early this year became Rainbow Tick accredited. #LINEWangaratta www.linewangaratta.org, #GVPride www.gvpride.org

ABORIGINAL TEXTILE ART A WELCOMED EDITION TO BENALLA HEALTH RAY SWEENEY CENTRE On Wednesday June 19th Members from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, the Benalla Health Communities Team and the Benalla Council Community Services Team came together for a BBQ lunch in honor of Cheryl Cooper - Aboriginal Textile Artist, who presented one of her amazing textile pieces which is now hanging in the Benalla Community Care - Ray Sweeney Centre for our consumers and community members to enjoy. The title of Cheryl’s artwork is ‘Reflections’ and was created as mixed media textile art. During Cheryl’s presentation she described the many facets of the artwork and what each represented. Cheryl explained, “This piece represents my country a keeping place. It is about looking after people’s mental health and for them to take time to breathe and listen to nature”. #community #yortayorta #benallahealth Benalla Rural City Council

Today we were very excited to welcome on site Dr Niki Vincent the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner and Andrew Elkson Senior Policy and Programs Advisor. Dr Vincent, is Victoria’s first Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner commencing in 2020 and oversees the implementation of the Gender Equality Act and Plays a key leadership role in promoting gender equality in the Victorian Community and Workplaces. Dr Vincent presented to a number of the Benalla Health leadership team around gender inequalities and the role of the Gender Equality Commission, which leaded to some great discussions amongst us all. #genderequalitycommission

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Yesterday morning Benalla Health staff were invited along to celebrate National Reconciliation Week with members of the Benalla Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, Council staff, Councillors, @Eyewatch - Benalla Police Service Area, @thalesgroup for a morning tea. #NRW2024

CONGRATULATIONS BENALLA HEALTH STAFF ON PASSING OUR ACCREDITATION Last week staff at Benalla Health successfully met all areas of accreditation for our first short notice assessment. Cara Hammond Acting Executive Director of Clinical Services said, "It is a testament to the amazing work everyone did in the lead up to the accreditation and a true reflection of our Best Care at Benalla Health philosophy." Pictured is our very proud executive team - Donovan Jacka - People & Culture, Cara Hammond - Performance Improvement, Mewan Dissan - Finance & Corporate Services & Lisa Waite - Clinical Services.

World Immunisation Week 2024 has been celebrated at Benalla Health with the introduction of the Staff Influenza Campaign. This has included directors from Benalla Hospital Board rolling up their sleeves for the flu vaccine. Seasonal influenza (the flu) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. It is common in all parts of the world. Symptoms of influenza include acute onset of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Annual vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza with all healthcare workers at Benalla Health receiving the flu vaccine again this year.

A new professional relationship commenced last week when Olivia Bigham, our Acute and Maternity Nurse Manager was an invited presenter at the Alfred Hospital. Presenting Obstetric Emergencies to the Emergency Departments Registrars. The day was a raging success and Olivia has already been invited back to present next semester. Olivia RN RM was invited by Dr David McCreary Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM) & Director of Emergency Medicine Training for Alfred Health. Olivia and David flew together in 2017 around the Top End of the Northern Territory for CareFlight. Providing Emergency response & a hospital level of care to those who live in rural and remote regions of the NT.

FREE SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC AVAILABLE AT BENALLA HEALTH GV Health together with Benalla Health are offering a FREE service for sexual and reproductive health. Clients can discuss their concerns and receive specialist care in a safe environment. The Clinic provides information, support and clinical services such as: • Testing and treatment for infections that can bespread through sexual contact. • Contraception, including Implanon insertion • Emergency contraception • Pregnancy testing • Unplanned pregnancy counselling, treatment and referral • Cervical screening tests (Pap smears) - self collection available • Genital pain and discomfort • Sex work certificates • Screening, counselling, and referral for viruses in the blood. • Hepatitis C treatment • Hepatitis B treatment and management • HIV PrEP and nPEP • Immunisation • Contact Tracing • Referral to specialist services WHERE: Benalla Health Call GV Health to make a booking on: 1800 222 582 option 4 #womenshealth #cervicalscreening

Last Thursday, the team at Benalla Health welcomed Victorian Minister for Health Infrastructure, Mary-Anne Thomas, for an insightful tour of our hospital. It was a pleasure to showcase the exceptional work we do here, the Ministers presence added a touch of encouragement to our endeavours. Throughout her visit, Minister Thomas engaged warmly with both staff and consumers, embodying a genuine interest in our operations. A particularly heartwarming moment occurred during her interaction with residents in our Morrie Evans Wing, where she adorned one of their handmade Easter bonnets.