Victorian Department of Health

Our study found that 2 in 5 Victorian women live with chronic pain, just like Hannah. Despite enduring years of debilitating symptoms, she was often met with uncertainty: “we don’t know.” Hannah's experience highlights a critical issue—women's pain is too frequently dismissed. As she reflects, “By the third year, everyone thought, you can’t still be in pain. But I was.” Her powerful statement, “There’s no way in hell I can handle being told I’m not in pain again,” underscores the urgent need for empathy and understanding in healthcare. We’re sharing Hannah’s journey to raise awareness about the reality of the enduring challenges women often face when seeking care and support for pain and advocate for a future filled with compassion. Learn more about our Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program: https://lnkd.in/gGhiQb_S #WomensHealth

Over the past few years, Victoria’s mental health system has undergone transformative change. We are working towards our vision for a system that delivers inclusive, personalised, compassionate, integrated care so all Victorians are supported to live and experience the life they want. We have made great progress towards creating a better mental health and wellbeing system for all Victorians, but we still have work to do. We've set the foundations, and we're excited for the next stage of our reform journey. Learn more about our progress and priorities for the next phase of reform at: https://lnkd.in/gsqm8-NK

Victoria’s mental health system is undergoing a once-in-a-generation reform to deliver inclusive, compassionate care for all. The new Outcomes and Performance Framework, created with input from consumers, carers, and experts, provides a clear picture of what a high-quality mental health system looks like. It will measure the impact of mental health and wellbeing services from a human experience perspective, translate data into meaningful, person-centred reporting and support mental health and wellbeing service providers to improve their performance. To learn more about the Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes and Performance Framework, visit: https://lnkd.in/gCUezrqC

We’re excited to share the story of how we’re working with our partners to transform Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. Our reforms aim to enhance treatment, care, and support for all Victorians, making services more accessible and ensuring help is available when it’s needed most. The achievements we’ve made so far reflect the hard work and dedication of our sector, the mental health workforce, those with lived and living experience, and the broader Victorian community. The next phase of mental health and wellbeing reform builds on the foundations we've established and celebrates the progress we’ve made. To learn more about our progress and priorities for the next phase of reform, visit: https://lnkd.in/gftMb-YR

“We live in exciting times where we have the scientific evidence and tools to end HIV transmission. The Victorian response is a multi-pronged approach that puts people in the centre” - Professor Jason Ong - Head of HIV/STI Economics and Health Preference Research, Sexual Health Physician; Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC), Co-Head; MSHC HIV/STI Clinical Trials Unit. In recognition of #WorldAidsDay on Dec 1, we proudly reaffirm our commitment to achieving the virtual elimination of new HIV transmissions in Victoria by 2025, as part of our Victorian HIV Plan 2022-30. To achieve our vision, the Victorian HIV Plan 2022–30 focuses on 4 goals: 🔹 empowering Victorians to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV, 🔹 ensuring Victorians living with HIV knows their status, 🔹 providing access to best practice evidence-based treatment and care, and 🔹 addressing the stigma, racism, and discrimination that can prevent access to testing, treatment and care. Regular testing, early detection and rapid linkage to treatment are vital to decreasing HIV transmission in Victoria and achieving our elimination agenda. In July 2023, the Victorian HIV Treatment Program for people not eligible for Medicare was launched, marking an important step forward. This program ensures every Victorian has access to HIV prevention medication. In its first year, 700 people accessed the service, helping bridge critical gaps in care. Together, with our partners in the HIV sector, Victorians are making strides towards a future free of new HIV transmissions. To learn more about the Victorian HIV Plan 2022–30, visit https://lnkd.in/g4pDce9n In proud partnership with Alfred Health, Living Positive Victoria - LPV, Positive Women Victoria, Thorne Harbour Health #WorldAIDSDay2024

Pill testing, otherwise known as drug checking, is coming to Victoria this summer. Starting on 28 December, the mobile pill testing service will kick off at Beyond The Valley at Barunah Plains. The mobile pill testing service will attend 10 festivals over 18 months, helping people make safer choices. A fixed site is also opening mid-2025 in inner Melbourne, close to nightlife and transport. The drug checking service will be provided by Youth Support + Advocacy Service, The Loop Australia, and Harm Reduction Victoria. To learn more about Victoria’s pill testing service, visit: https://lnkd.in/gKAJSEPg

“When someone presents to a professional and they have unexplained pain or unexplained symptoms that feel really scary to them, and they are dismissed – that is going to feed into that pain output of the pain – and so therefore we’re literally making their pain worst when we dismiss them and send them away.” These powerful words from Alice, a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, highlights that too many women face. Alice believes that it’s time for change. “What I would love to see is that every woman that presents to a health professional is told that they are BELIEVED.” We’re amplifying women’s voices and sharing Alice’s experiences with her patients. Together, we can move towards compassion and awareness, making sure every woman knows she is heard and validated. To learn more about our Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program, visit: https://lnkd.in/g2RNfg4U #WomensHealth

Meet Macdonald Tapfumameyi, who is part of the Forensicare, and recently completed a Master of Mental Health Nursing with the support of a Full Course Fee Postgraduate Mental Health Nurse Scholarship. The scholarship provided much-needed financial assistance, allowing Macdonald to focus on his studies without financial stress. Macdonald says he is now in a better position to advance his career and take on more challenging roles within mental health nursing. Apply now for scholarships to support postgraduate study for registered nurses employed in Victorian public mental health services. There are two scholarships on offer: 1️⃣ The Full Course Fee Postgraduate Mental Health Nurse Scholarship, covering the full course cost of a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing or Master of Mental Health Nursing, empowering nurses to enhance their specialised skills. 2️⃣ The $3000 Postgraduate Mental Health Nurse Scholarship, providing financial support towards postgraduate studies, assisting mental health nurses with continued learning and development pathways while enhancing their skills, knowledge, and capabilities to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and consumer-centred care. Applications close Friday 6 December 2024. To learn more and apply for the Full Course Fee and $3000 Postgraduate Mental Health Nurse Scholarship Programs, visit: https://lnkd.in/g9FzAa-P

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners from last evening’s 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards! 🌟 Your outstanding work is making a meaningful and lasting impact on the Victorian community, and we are incredibly proud to recognise and celebrate your achievements. Here’s a selection of photographs from last night's event, along with the complete list of winners: 🏆 Excellence in women’s health 👏 Monash Health 🏆 Strong and sustainable workforce 👏 St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne 🏆 Excellence in mental health and wellbeing 👏 healthAbility 🏆 Excellence in public sector residential aged care services 👏 Central Highlands Rural Health 🏆 Excellence in multicultural community health 👏 DPV Health 🏆 Care closer to home 👏 Barwon Health 🏆 Excellence in value-based healthcare 👏 Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Western Health, The Royal Women's Hospital, and The Royal Melbourne Hospital 🏆 Partnering in healthcare 👏 Austin Health and Swan Hill District Health 🏆 Keeping people healthy and safe in the community 👏 Western District Health Service 🏆 Creating a sustainable and climate resilient health system 👏 Northern Health 🏆 Safer Care Victoria award for safety improvement 👏 Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 🏆 Partnering with consumers to improve patient experience 👏 The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation Melbourne and Austin Health 🏆 Excellence in Aboriginal health and wellbeing 👏 BreastScreen Victoria and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) 🏆 Excellence in supporting healthy LGBTIQA+ Victorians 👏 Cancer Council Victoria and Thorne Harbour Health 🏆 Health Volunteer Team of the Year 👏 Heywood Men’s Shed supporting Heywood Rural Health 🏆 Premier’s Primary Healthcare Service of the Year Award 👏 DPV Health 🏆 Premier’s Small Health Service of the Year Award 👏 Great Ocean Road Health 🏆 Premier’s Medium Health Service of the Year Award 👏 Bass Coast Health 🏆 Premier’s Large Health Service of the Year Award 👏 Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 🙏 #VPHAwards

🦠 Did you know? Antimicrobials— things like antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals—are crucial for treating infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. However, antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) is on the rise. When germs become resistant to medicines, infections become harder to treat, increasing the risk of severe illness and even death. This #WorldAntimicrobialAwarenessWeek, we’re raising awareness about AMR to protect our health now and for the future. Learn how to combat AMR, visit: https://lnkd.in/g5RYiw3K