Community Health
ORH Community Services provides a wide range of services to the local and wider community. Highly skilled and experienced Staff have the ability to make referrals to other service providers which are able to be easily and quickly implemented.
Many services are also delivered by regular Outreach visits to remote and rural areas of the region
For information on all services please call: 03 5154 6666
Services work together in areas of need, and staff from different disciplines plan, deliver and evaluate services. Every individual has different requirements, and will at times need services from several different areas, including:
Planned Activity Group (PAG)
Interaction and recreational activities such as games, music, computers, crafts, swimming, outings to the cinema, live theatre or just for lunch somewhere, visiting entertainers, walking and shopping are provided for the active older members of the community Tuesdays and Thursdays each week for a small fee, which includes morning tea and lunch. This groups also caters to those with disabilities of all ages. Basic health checks are also provided as required and referrals to other service providers are available. The activities are aimed at stimulation of both the mind and body.
Community Health Nursing
The Community Health Nurse provides health assessments, information, education, training and advice to the community.
Additionally, and very importantly, he also provides support programs:
- Better health support for those with chronic illness
- Health Promotion - provides treatment, education and support to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The health promotion unit provides health consultations and referrals, advice about healthy living - including good mental health - and education for better health in the community. The prevention of health problems through regular monitoring, referral to GP's and follow up through rehabilitation support is undertaken by staff as part of their health promotion role.
- Men's Health Program
- Outreach Services to remote rural areas
- Men's Shed program
- Specialty Education, eg; Sunsmart & Quit Programs
Counselling Services
Working in conjunction with other support staff, counselling and psychology services are available when usual coping methods are not working and where a more intensive, therapeutic counselling or psychological focus is required. This counselling is often undertaken in consultation with your primary health professional or GP.
The Counselling Unit is able to offer a range of educational, supportive and preventative services for families. Managing difficult relationship issues or behavioural problems is often confusing and difficult, and family counselling can help to develop cooperation and support between family members. Areas covered by the counsellors include: Drug & Alcohol, Gambling; Family Violence; Behaviour Problems; Depression or Anxiety; Outreach services - which are regularly provided to outlying communities.
Diabetes Education & Support
The Diabetes Educator is available Fridays to provide assistance, support, education, maintenance and supplies for those with diabetes.
Family (Maternal) & Child Health and Young Mums Project
F&CH services are provided by fully qualified Family & Child Health Nurses at our onsite suite of rooms, including fenced outside play area for children. Some home visits are offered. Immunisations are also provided onsite at regular periods throughout the year.
This service is located at 20 Ruskin Street (cnr Ruskin & Browning Sts) Orbost.
Family & Child Health Services include:
- Outreach service to remote and rural communities fortnightly
- Mothers Support Group
- Contact and meeting place for Nursing Mothers Association
- Immunisation Clinics
- Contact for Toy Library
Men's Shed
"Every Australian male needs a shed....."
Well, we provided one. Here is the opportunity for older men to take part in the very popular and well supported gathering Tuesdays and Wednesdays to talk, repair toys, do woodwork & other activities, make items for the community, have lunch, receive basic health checks (eg: blood pressure) and so on.
A great social gathering where men can be men. For more information call Dean Bills on 03 5154 6762
SAAP (Supported Accommodation Assistance Program)
Some individuals and families at times find themselves without adequate housing. This service provides assistance to help find and maintain stable accommodation, and is funded by both State and Commonwealth Governments. We can help people of all ages including Families, Adults and Young People.
We support people who are homeless to resolve crisis, re establish family links (where appropriate), to achieve the maximum possible degree and self-reliance and independence, and to participate in community life. Anyone who is homeless or experiencing a housing crisis is eligible.
How can we help? Direct Support to people in housing crisis and those in Transitional Housing (up to three months).
We provide information on how to access:
- Private Rental
- Bond Loans
- Share accommodation
- Long Term Government Housing
- Tenant Information Services
- Transitional Housing (Short Term, up to three months), when available
- Crisis accommodation including refuges
- Financial Assistance to help with
- Rent in advance
- Rent arrears
- Relocation
- Overnight Crisis Accommodation
- Food vouchers
Referral
Referral when required to other support services including accommodation, counselling, drug and alcohol support, family support and others.
Increase access to a range of programs and services including training, education, employment, health and other community support programs.
Advocacy
Assistance when required with Centrelink or Public Housing and other organisations.
Children of clients have access to the service. We can help them and their parents, with specific regard to the needs of the child.
Social Worker
The Social Workers provide a range of services for the individual or family groups, including social assessment, supporting social functioning, social care planning, promoting financial security counselling and social communication skills.
Women's & Adolescent Health
see Medical Clinic >> Staffing & Services - Womens & Adolescent Health
Youth Services
Orbost Regional Health supports youth based enterprise programs, giving young people an opportunity to learn skills and work in an environment where they are valued and appreciated.
The Mowhawks program is the current activity; a partnership between Orbost Regional Health's Home Base Services and Orbost Secondary College where young people are maintaining the grounds of aged and infirm residents, at the same time working towards a training certificate.
These programs provide an enhancement to, and an increased incentive for, students to continue their education at Secondary College level.
