For a first-time mum who could be struggling with breast feeding and needing help to settle her baby or someone who needs pain rehabilitation from a physiotherapist this and more is provided by your local community health services.
Community health services are an integral part of the Victorian health system and funding to help them is vital as they prevent avoidable presentations in our overstretched emergency departments. Keeping Victorians healthy and out of hospital will lead to long term benefits in our community.
I had the pleasure of meeting with some of the lovely staff at Sunraysia Community Health Services earlier this week and found out more about their services, in particular the new Community Paramedic Program. Seeing the program in action firsthand and getting the inside word from Darren, Janet & Travis certainly gave a whole new perspective.
This program provides members of the community with regular blood pressure checks, chronic disease management, service referral and the social connection the program offers can not be underestimated.
Paramedics take a holistic approach to all new clients and offer advice and support to help manage existing conditions, refer on to other health professionals and they also facilitate engagement with social services & agencies. These Paramedics conduct one-on-one sessions with clients on a regular basis. The aim of the program is to reduce the number of emergency service call outs and visits to the emergency department for primary health care needs.
The services provided by Sunraysia Community Health Services can also help relieve pressure on our local GP services which is more essential than ever as the cost of Labor’s Health Tax has added considerably to the out-of-pocket medical costs and reduced access to bulk billing.
Our paramedics are highly qualified and skilled healthcare professionals so why this program isn’t utilised more broadly to ease pressure on the broken public health system is befuddling.
Sunraysia Community Health Service is a remarkable organisation we are incredibly lucky to have. Starting with three employees and five services over 40 years ago we can now access 55 health programs from 150 specialised and qualified staff.
I was incredibly proud to show off this service the the Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier this week, and I know we shall both keep advocating for the Community Paramedic Program and funding for Sunraysia Community Health Services.
