South Gippsland Community encourage third dose

South Gippsland Hospital have joined forces with local community members to encourage people to get their third (booster) dose of the vaccination as soon as they are eligible. Please take a couple of minutes to hear from a dozen locals as to why they got their jab. Please enjoy the “i do it because” video, which captures the reasons why people were motivated to get vaccinated.

Thanks to Mick Green at Drift Media!

Effective Thursday 13 January  2022

As per the Visitors to Hospitals and Care Facilities orders (No.2) an operator of a hospital must not permit certain visitors to enter the premises unless they are either fully vaccinated, provide evidence of a negative result from a COVID 19 rapid antigen test or fall under a relevant exception.

 South Gippsland Hospital will abide by these orders and set the following parameters for entry.

Visiting hours and restrictions

In-Patients are restricted to ONE visitor for up to TWO hours strictly between 0930 and 1130 hours ONLY for the following permitted purposes:

• Provide essential care or support for the patient’s immediate physical or emotional wellbeing
• Is the parent, carer or guardian of a person under the age of 18
• As a nominated person (as defined in the Mental Health Act 2014)
• As an interpreter or to provide language support
• To learn to support the patient or resident’s care upon discharge
• Accompany to emergency department or outpatient
• Is immediate family (including kinship) of a patient with life-threatening condition

The partner or support person of a patient in maternity care can visit all hours and immediate family members for end of life care.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our patients and community safe during this time.

Health Services are here to support good mental health and wellbeing.

COVID-19 has impacted the whole community this year and has forced us to live our lives in ways we could never imagine. These changes have impacted us all differently. For many of us our mental health and wellbeing has been impacted in some way.

Mental Health Month runs each year during October and given our current circumstances is as important as ever to celebrate and promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

Mental Health Month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not. The campaign puts a focus on positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and in community. It also gives the opportunity to understand the importance of good mental health in everyday lives, encourages help seeking behaviours, provides simple tips and ideas to support good mental health and wellbeing and will work to reduce any stigma associated with mental health.

The changes brought about by COVID-19 are impacting us all, as a result, with the support of the South Coast Primary and Community Partnership our three local health services, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service and South Gippsland Hospital are getting behind Mental Health Month 2020. Staff from each of the Health Services will be featured on the hospital social media pages promoting their top tips for good mental health throughout the month of October.

“Small actions can create big changes to your mental health and wellbeing,” said Jan Child, CEO at Bass Coast Health, who supports her staff and volunteers with regular mental health tips in The Weekly, Bass Coast Health’s staff and volunteer newsletter. “Talking about our mental health and wellbeing is one way we can help promote good mental health habits” she adds.

“Mental health issues will affect 1 in 5 Australians every year. Anxiety disorders are often the most common mental health challenge, followed by depression,” said Paul Greenhalgh, CEO of South Gippsland Hospital. “Nearly a third of Australian workers are affected by mental illness annually, and many do not seek help because of stigma,” he added.

“How we take care of our mental health will look a bit different for everyone. Follow the three health services social media pages throughout October to see our staff share advice and ideas on how they look after their mental health and where you and your family can get help.” encouraged Mark Johnson, CEO at Gippsland Southern Health Service.

The South Coast Primary and Community Partnership has produced a Community Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing Services in Bass Coast and South Gippsland. The Guide includes ideas for looking after your own mental health as well as where to get help if you need it.

If you or someone you care for needs immediate assistance you can contact-

Lifeline

13 11 14 – 24 hours a day

BEYOND BLUE:  Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service  – 1800 512 348

https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/?utm_campaign=hp_banner

Feeling worried or struggling to cope during the Coronavirus pandemic?

Beyond Blue trained counsellors are there to support you 24/7.