Community Health First

Just in: Community Health First has launched our first-ever collective impact report on the state of the sector. We are reaching more people than ever before as our services expand across the state. In the last year community health supported over 608,000 Victorians. See the full report here https://lnkd.in/gsPWVFhM and find out more about the innovative programs that are keeping our communities healthy and well. The 2023-24 Impact Report showcases work from all 24 registered community health organisations in Victoria. Access Health and Community, Ballarat Community Health, Banyule Community Health, Bellarine Community Health, Bendigo Community Health Services, Better Health Network , cohealth, DPV Health, EACH, Gateway Health - People living well, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, Grampians Community Health, healthAbility, Inspiro Community Health, IPC Health, Latrobe Community Health Service, Merri Health, Nexus Primary Health, North Richmond Community Health, Northern District Community Health, Primary Care Connect, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, Sunraysia Community Health Services , Your Community Health

Congratulations healthAbility on being named the winner of the 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Award for 'Excellence in mental health and wellbeing'. The award recognises the vital work of the After-Hours Mental Health Nursing Service which supports people experiencing mild or moderate mental health issues during times when other services are limited. Congratulations Agata Jarbin and the whole After-Hours Mental Health Nursing Service team. #vphawards

What role do community health organisations play in our local communities? We are providers, connectors, and innovators offering place-based services to keep our communities healthy and well. #communityhealth #healthyequity #communityhealthfirst

Community Health First’s 2025 Victorian Budget Submission is now live!   The submission sets out our plans to scale evidence-based programs that improve health access and outcomes for Victorians and avoid an average of $3 in future healthcare costs for every $1 invested. It includes support for Victorians on public surgery waiting lists, accessible healthcare in regional and rural communities, and preventative services to effectively manage chronic disease outside of hospital.   These programs can deliver a stronger, more sustainable and equitable healthcare system for all Victorians. Our full submission can be found here: bit.ly/CHF-budget-2526

We’re excited to see several registered community health organisations named as finalists for the 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards. The awards acknowledge the achievements of Victoria’s healthcare workers and volunteers. Congratulations to DPV Health, healthAbility, IPC Health, Latrobe Community Health Service, Merri Health and Sunraysia Community Health Services #communityhealthfirst #communityhealth #VPHAwards

We asked our clients about their experiences with community health, and the results show how much community health means to Victorians. Our services are making a difference in people’s lives. We’re pleased that clients feel community health can support them in accessing the help they need and staying connected within their communities. We are proud of the committed and passionate workforce of 11,000 staff and 2,000 volunteers who make this possible by putting our communities at the centre of everything they do. This is what community health is all about - putting people first and helping them get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Community Health First was honoured to be joined by the Minister for Health, the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP at the launch of our 2023-34 Community Health Impact Report. Our report highlights our unique service model that offers integrated health and social care from early childhood to old age.  Over the past year community health has implemented and scaled new programs that address the major challenges facing our communities such as escalating rates of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, social isolation and loneliness, and family violence.     We have been a critical partner in implementing major reforms and initiatives by the Victorian Government; establishing new Urgent Care Centres to take strain off our hospitals, scaling women’s sexual and reproductive health centres across the state and being a major provider in the delivery of new mental health services established in response to the Victorian Royal Commission.    We have continued to ensure that all Victorians have access to quality care by implementing innovative outreach models in rural and regional communities and programs tailored for culturally diverse and LGBTQI+ communities.    We have supported struggling Victorian families by expanding free dental services for public school children and providing early childhood services for the many children with developmental delays. Community health is also reducing the strain on our hospital system. With new programs, developed with and for our communities, demonstrating significant savings in acute health services and 58% of consumers reporting that community health has reduced the frequency of their hospital use. At a time when our hospitals are facing increased demand, it is clear that investment in community health makes good economic sense and it is overwhelmingly what our communities want. Together, we look forward to continuing to make a difference in our communities. #communityhealthfirst #healthhappensincommunity #healthequity

Our community paramedics are keeping busy at parliament this week, providing free health checks to MPs and staff. 
 Community paramedics provide a critical service through the CP@ Clinic in regional areas of Victoria where people face long wait times for appointments or can’t access healthcare due to limited options or a lack of services close to where they live. Our community paramedic teams are focused on improving clients’ ability to manage their health conditions, more easily access the right healthcare and wellbeing programs and pathways to stop, slow or treat chronic disease as well as addressing social isolation and loneliness.
 CP@ Clinics are currently being run by Sunraysia Community Health, Gateway Community Health & Primary Care Connect, and Community Health FIrst is calling for the government to invest in this service state wide so we can reach more Victorians who don’t have access to the care they need close to home.

This week, Community Health First is heading to Parliament. We are hosting a Showcase to spread the word to elected representatives about the work of community health right across Victoria. 
 We’re asking MPs to take our pledge to support improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life for all Victorians. A big shout out to Speaker The Hon Maree Edwards MP who was the first MP to take the pledge.

Across Victoria community health provides high-quality services delivered by multi-disciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, dentists, oral health therapists, and allied health professionals working together to deliver integrated care. Wonderful to be able to share more about community health’s model of care and discuss opportunities for the future with the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP.