BCH to launch new mobile health care bus for the Bellarine

BELLARINE Community Health (BCH) has revealed plans for its future, including a new mobile health care bus for the Bellarine.

BCH Board Chair Margaret Belfrage made the announcement during their annual general meeting (AGM) last week, which was attended by more than 50 people.

“The health care bus will be fitted out for consulting and clinical activities with clinicians able to undertake health checks such as diabetes checkups and podiatry services,” Ms Belfrage said.

The BCH health care bus will deliver services to clients in all 11 towns on the Bellarine, and will be wifi enabled, allowing clinicians to deliver services via telehealth to clients with restricted access to transport.

The BCH board has set aside $100,000 from the remaining Health and Wellbeing fund towards establishing the mobile health bus and is seeking donations to complete the funding in the coming months.

Some donations from local organisations have already been received.

Those attending the AGM were also told of BCH’s plans to re-establish a GP practice from the Portarlington site.

This will be a comprehensive clinical practice providing GP services, nursing and a range of allied health services.

The small gymnasium at Portarlington currently used for BCH group programs will also be opened for public use early next month.

An update was given at the AGM on the redevelopment of the Community Health Centre buildings at Point Lonsdale.

The third and final stage of the redevelopment is nearing completion with clinicians and staff expected to start working from the new building by the end of the year.

The BCH board is also working on plans and actively seeking funding to assist with refurbishing and reopening the Eric Tolliday units and redevelop the existing Coorabin building.

“Our aim is to make the entire Point Lonsdale site the ‘Health Hub’ for all the Bellarine and a centre of health care excellence,” Ms Belfrage said.

G21 chief executive officer Elaine Carbines was guest speaker at the event. She outlined the importance of the health sector in the G21 alliance and the role that BCH and other stakeholders played in ensuring the Bellarine was part of future planning.

A BCH spokesperson said the AGM was a “resounding success”, with those in attendance reacting positively to the direction of the organisation and announcements made.