Services

Primary Health

Our community health services support people of all ages to maintain wellness and independence.

Community services are subsidised by the Commonwealth and State governments. For more information about fees and eligibility, please contact our Intake Officer.

See our health services

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or for more information about fees and eligibility please contact our Intake Officer.

Primary Health Services available:

  • Complex Care

    The Complex Care Program can help with:

    • Increasing your knowledge and understanding of your health condition(s).
    • How to access community supports and services in your area.
    • How to improve your quality of life and stay as healthy as possible.
    • How to recognise and manage changes in your health.
    • How to make the most out of your medical appointments.
    • Help in coordinating your healthcare needs.

    Complex Care Program may benefit you if you have:

    • Been admitted to hospital twice in the last 6 months or are at current risk of being admitted to hospital. 
    • One or more health conditions of six months or longer.
    • Other needs that impact on your health, for example housing, finances, or relationships.
    • Multiple healthcare service providers.
    • Difficulty making sense of the healthcare system.
    • Difficulty understanding and managing your health condition(s), for example medications or managing flare-ups.
  • Diabetes Education

    Whether you have diabetes or are caring for someone with diabetes a Diabetes Educator can give you support and advice to achieve your health goals. 

    The Diabetes Educator will provide practical advice and show you strategies to improve your health and prevent/manage complications.

    The Diabetes educator runs regular diabetes support groups for people with diabetes and carers to share understanding and connect with others who have similar experiences.

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    A Dietitian can:

    • Help increase your awareness of foods that the body need for good health for adults, elderly, pregnant women, and children.
    • Assess individual nutrition needs and develop personalised eating plans that consider medical conditions and personal circumstances.
    • Support you with making suitable food choices to help manage conditions such as diabetes, coeliac disease, allergies and intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney disease, cancer and malnutrition.
    • Assist you to build confidence in the kitchen to prepare and cook meals, as well as food budgeting.
    • Educate you and community groups on healthy eating for different ages and conditions, label reading, and eating out.

    A person may see a Dietitian if they experience:

    • Concerns about children’s eating.
    • Changes in circumstances that have affected eating, preparation of meals or shopping, e.g. Injuries or a recent illness.
    • A new diagnosis or change in a health condition which affects nutritional requirements e.g. recent surgery, wounds, breathing problems.
    • Unintentional weight loss or gain.
    • Eating poorly because of a reduced appetite.
  • PACE@indigo

    PACE@indigo is a Pulmonary and Cardiac Exercise and Education program supporting local people with heart and lung conditions.

    PACE@Indigo is strongly recommended if you have a heart or lung condition.

    You will receive personalised advice and support to find more enjoyment in day to day activities, to feel more confident, to recover sooner and to prevent health problems in the future.

    The PACE@indigo Program offers:

    • individual assessments
    • education sessions
    • exercise classes
    • individual home based exercise plans

    Sessions are offered locally in Beechworth and Yackandandah.

    To get involved, you can get a referral from your doctor or you can contact the PACE@indigo team at Beechworth Health Service via email BHSIntake@beechworthhealth.org.au or phone 03 5728 0200

    The PACE@indigo program is a partnership between Beechworth Health Service and Alpine Health and is an expansion of the existing PACE program delivered by Alpine Health.

  • Health Promotion

    The health promotion team aim to place good health at the centre of our everyday lives by creating healthy environments in the places where members of our community spend their time – including our local childcare centres, kindergartens, schools, workplaces, shops, food outlets and community organisations.

    Current Health Promotion activities:

    • Support for local education settings and workplaces to implement the Achievement Program.
    • - Implement the RESPOND project: an innovative, a community led program co-developed by Deakin University to use “systems science” to address the complex drivers of childhood obesity. We work with local partners and communities to identify specific actions they can take to create healthier food environments and increase activity levels.
    • Respond to local needs and support local businesses, local government and organisations to take action on healthier eating and active living.
    • Implementation of the North East Local Food Strategy 2018-2022
    • Support for local government to implement food policy using the North East Food Policy and Strategy Discussion Paper 2016.
    • Promote and support active travel initiatives:
    • Cool Relief Centres – co-ordination of local businesses to provide a refuge for people during extreme heat conditions.
    • Beechworth Community Christmas Lunch.
  • Occupational Therapy

    An Occupational Therapist can:

    • Support you to make daily tasks easier in the home and community.
    • Provide equipment for use within the home such as bathroom or toilet equipment.
    • Suggest home modifications such as changes to the bathroom, rails installation, step modifications or ramps.
    • Promote confidence to safely get out and about in the community.

    A person may see an Occupational Therapist if they experience:

    • Difficulty with showering, dressing or toileting.
    • Difficulty getting into the home or up steps.
    • Pressure injuries.
    • Forgetting information or difficulty planning tasks e.g. planning meals, medications.
    • Difficulty getting into the home.
    • Recent falls or trip hazards around the home.
    • Difficulty with equipment such as wheelchairs or scooters.
  • Physiotherapy

    A Physiotherapist can:

    • Assist with recovery after injury or surgery.
    • Support you in maintaining strong muscles and bones to be as active and independent as possible.
    • Assist you with walking and balance.
    • Provide strategies to prevent falls.
    • Provide dome exercise programs to maximise energy and strength.
    • Recommend walking aids to maintain independence in the community.
    • Assist with ongoing health issues such that effect mobility.

    The physiotherapists also run a variety of specialised exercise groups, please contact us for more information.

    A person may see a Physiotherapist if they experience:

    • Difficulty moving around the home and community environments, such as using furniture to support or to assist walking.
    • Changes in a health condition which has affected mobility e.g. recent surgery.
    • Difficulty getting in and out of a chair, bed or car.
    • A change in walking patterns e.g. shuffling or unsteadiness.
    • Muscle or joint pain or discomfort.
    • Long periods of time spent in one position e.g. bed or chair.
    • Trip hazards around the home e.g. rugs, cords, pets and general clutter.
    • Recent falls or have a fear of falling.
    • Noticeable loss of strength and endurance.
  • Podiatry

    A podiatrist can help you manage your foot health. Services are available in Beechworth, Yackandandah and Tangambalanga.

    A Podiatrist can support you with:

    • Advice and management of foot conditions.
    • Diabetes foot assessments and self-management.
    • Wound care.
    • Foot care and advice on how to look after your feet.
    • Walking assessments.
    • Orthotics and footwear advice.
    • Nail surgery.

    A person may see a Podiatrist if they experience:

    • Foot or leg tiredness/pain.
    • Corns and Callus.
    • Foot/leg wounds.
    • Ingrown toenails.
    • In toeing/tripping in children.
    • Trouble finding footwear.
    • Unsure if you need orthotics or arch supports.
    • Swelling in feet and legs. 
  • Speech Pathology for Children

    Speech Pathology helps with communication. The Speech Pathology service provides assessment and therapy to children aged 0 – 6 years who have not yet started school.

    A Speech Pathologist can support:

    • Speech sound development (saying sounds in words).
    • Language development (understanding and using vocabulary, and word and sentence structure).
    • Fluency (helping children who stutter).
    • Voice.
    • Social communication skill development.

    A child may see a Speech Pathologist if they are experiencing:

    • Difficulty saying sound and being understood by others.
    • Difficulty following directions and/ or understanding spoken language.
    • Difficulty using words and sentences to communicate.
    • Stuttering.
    • Feeding or swallowing difficulties.
    • Challenges learning play and social skills.
  • Fresh Food Guides - Beechworth, Yackandandah & Rutherglen