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As part of 2023 International Women’s Day celebrations, DPV Health is delighted to announce the appointment of Adjunct Professor Tanya Farrell (she/her) to the Board of DPV Health

Tanya is a highly skilled executive midwife and nurse with extensive experience and leadership in both Victoria and nationally. Tanya’s expertise spans all aspects of clinical governance and health service delivery and is passionate about community health and ensuring care is delivered as close to home as possible within the community setting.

Tanya has just commenced as the Director of Maternity Services at Western Health, one of Victoria’s largest maternity services, as service that is that is undergoing significant growth and reform. Previous appointments include the Senior Maternity Adviser and Acting Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Safer Care Victoria (SCV) and Executive Director of Midwifery and Nursing at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

As an Adjunct Professor in Nursing and Midwifery at La Trobe University, Tanya was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Public Health.

Emmanuel Tsakis Board Chair said “DPV Health is extremely fortunate and proud to have Tanya joining as a board director. DPV Health welcomes Tanya’s extensive experience, skills and personal attributes, particularly as we embark on delivering our new strategic plan. Tanya’s appointment will help to further strengthen our governance and commitment to excellent care for the community we serve.”

Tanya Farrell Board Director said “I am excited to be joining DPV at this time. More than ever having strong community health services is vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities. I know DPV is committed to its community and delivering services that meet their needs”.

We were delighted to welcome guest speaker Professor Paul Johnson Director of NEPHU (North Eastern Public Health Unit), along with nearly 80 community members & industry stakeholders to the 2022 DPV Health Annual General Meeting yesterday.

During the event, we launched DPV Health’s 2021-22 Annual Report & Quality Account. The report highlights DPV Health’s commitment to excellent care and speaks to the many achievements and innovation achieved across service delivery, community engagement, clinical governance, inclusion, people & culture, partnerships, data, systems and infrastructure.

Professor Paul Johnson delivered a compelling presentation on Victoria’s COVID journey and his insights on the way forward, whilst highlighting the importance to get vaccinated and maintain other COVID safety protocols. He also spoke to NEPHU’s objectives to work close with DPV Health,  and other community health organisations and the broader health sector to deliver better health and well-being outcomes.

The event included some special announcements. Don Tidbury CEO acknowledged the extraordinary contribution of Board Chair Margaret Douglas who has elected to stand down from the role (whilst remaining to on the board), stating “Our organisation would not be where it is today, without her exemplary leadership and commitment.”

The Board also announced the appointment of long standing DPV Health Board Director Emmanuel Takis to the role of Board Chair.

We’d love for you to read our 2021-22 Annual Report & Quality Account and gain an insight into the great work happening at DPV Health: https://www.dpvhealth.org.au/publications/

We were thrilled to see DPV Health’s Dr Lyndal Peake, Paediatrician awarded the “2022 Robert Kumar Community Award” at Banksia Garden’s Community Services Annual General Meeting in Broadmeadows last night.

The Robert Kumar Community Award was established in 2015 by the BGCS Board as an opportunity for our organisation to recognise, reward and celebrate individuals in our community with a solid trajectory of community service. The Award carries the name of its first recipient, Mr Robert Kumar, who served as the Chief Magistrate of the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court for almost 30 years.

Dr Peake was the recipient of the award for her outstanding support to children at risk and/or in out-of-home care. Over the last eleven years, Dr Peake has made an enormous contribution to the lives of children and their families across the city of Hume.

It is also wonderful reflection on DPV Health’s specialist medical services. DPV Health invests in and prioritises accessible, high quality medical services for the children and adults who are most in need.

DPV Health is honoured to partner with our great friends and allies at Banksia Gardens Community Services, on a broad range of initiatives to support greater health and wellbeing outcomes for our community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr Peake on this stellar achievement.

Thank you for reading the DPV Health Annual Report 2021 – 2022. Please find the Arabic and Turkish translation of the Board Chair & CEO Report below.

Arabic – عربي

Turkish – Türk

DPV Health was honoured to hosted Jaala Pulford MP, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy to DPV Health’s Craigieburn site for an important industry event and government announcement recently.

Minister Pulford announced that in an exciting partnership with five telco providers, the Labor Government will invest more than $250 million to deliver 1,108 mobile infrastructure projects, to support better mobile coverage across 23,500 square kilometres. The investment by the state government will benefit more than 2.4 million homes and businesses across Victoria.

Attended by over 30 industry colleagues from Melbourne’s North and delivered in partnership with NorthLink, the Ministerial event provide the opportunity for DPV Health to showcase

1. The data & ICT innovation happening at DPV Health to enhance our client’s experience, partner with our community and strengthen cyber security.

2. DPV Health’s plans to establish a new Primary Care & Community Health Hub in Epping. The new hub will create a single multi-service health destination for people to have greater access to medical, dental, mental health, allied health and community services.

The new hub

> will play an important role in ensuring better health and wellbeing outcomes for our community, whilst reducing the stress on other parts of Victoria’s health system.

> provide a fantastic range of health workforce education, development & teaching programs, creating much needed employment opportunities for Melbourne’s North.

> strengthen connections, a sense of belonging and social cohesion across the community through providing places at the hub for local groups, including disability, multicultural, seniors and youth programs.

DPV Health is seeking funding from the State and Federal Governments to make this exciting vision a reality.

DPV Health has 100,000 reasons to celebrate today. DPV Health has reached the landmark milestone of 100,000 COVID 19 vaccinations administered throughout the course of the pandemic and have turned their attention toward the community members of Hume and Whittlesea to thank them for giving up their time to get vaccinated to protect loved ones and the community.

DPV Health’s CEO Don Tidbury said “This important milestone is a great reflection on our vaccination team’s monumental efforts. DPV Health has worked tirelessly to keep our community safe throughout the pandemic, vaccinating people seven days per week through multiple locations across Melbourne’s North. We are incredibly grateful to everyone in our community who has stepped up to get vaccinated” 

Over the course of the pandemic, DPV Health has operated 3 vaccination hubs and over 100 pop up locations throughout Melbourne offering vaccinations to all communities and cultural requirements.

DPV Health’s General Manager of Primary care Kylie Rhook who navigated on ground operations throughout the pandemic had this to say, “This milestone is an outcome of the extensive collaboration with state government, local government, community organisations, community leaders, and the wider community. Customising the vaccination program to have vaccination hubs at convenient locations, supported by community engagement and tailored communications, gives the community the best opportunity to access vaccinations.”  

DPV Health’s partnership with both the Hume and Whittlesea city councils facilitated reaching this milestone, providing support and resources throughout. The Mayor of Hume Carly Moore visited DPV Health’s Broadmeadows Town Hall vaccination site to celebrate this achievement stating “DPV Health has done an outstanding job in setting up vaccination clinics across Hume City – whether it be in our community hubs, shopping centres, schools or leisure centres the team has proudly risen to the challenge to provide local vaccine access for our residents.” “Every additional dose makes a huge difference in our fight against COVID-19 and it is encouraging that more than 90,000 Hume locals aged 16 and over have already boosted their protection and received their third dose.”. DPV Health and the Hume City Council have collaborated to offer community members convenient locations to get vaccinated, including the most recent Splash ‘N’ Vax pop-up location.

To thank local residents for their contribution to this milestone DPV Health are welcoming the community to join them in the celebrations this Sunday the 13^th of March at Broadmeadows Town Hall located at 10 Dimboola Rd, Broadmeadows. On offer will be a free barbeque, face painting, balloon twister and a goodie bag giveaway. The celebrations will commence from 12pm and run until 3pm.

Vaccinations and boosters will also be available for all people over the age of 5. No appointment is required, walk-ups are encouraged.

Media Contact

For media enquiries, contact Rick Jackson Executive Manager Client Experience & Community Engagement on 0448 998 079 or Rick.Jackson@dpvhealth.org.au

DPV Health is a not-for-profit organisation that offers exceptional health, disability and social services to people of all ages across the cities of Hume and Whittlesea. As one of Victoria’s largest & most comprehensive community health organisations, DPV Health provides an extensive range of medical, dental, allied health, paediatric, disability, mental health and programs to support vulnerable people.

DPV HEALTH opens a new site in Epping to support expansion in mental health and family violence services

DPV Health is pleased to announce the opening of its mental health site in Epping. Located in the Quest Epping building adjacent to the Pacific Epping Shopping Centre. The DPV Health site will also host The Orange Door ensuring that people in Melbourne’s outer North have access to essential mental health, family violence and family support services.

Delivered in partnership with Safer Care Victoria, Family Safety Victoria and other key community services the new site will provide mental health counselling services, as well as services for those experiencing family violence, people who use violence and for families who need assistance with the care of children.

The Orange Door will host a team of practitioners from DPV Health, Berry St, Kids First and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency to support individuals and families, including children, with immediate needs to ensure they are directed to the right services for ongoing assistance.

The site will also support DPV Health’s expansion of locally based, inclusive mental health services. It will provide a range of culturally appropriate mental health services including: counselling, psychology, social work and group programs to support people’s better mental health, well-being and connection with the community.

With the recent release of the recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into Mental Health, DPV Health’s opening of the site is very timely and will help facilitate growth in mental health services across the region.

Don Tidbury CEO DPV Health said “DPV Health’s new Epping site will deliver essential family violence, family services and mental health services, which are much needed in our community. Responding to community need is a key priority for DPV Health and we look forward to working with Safer Care Victoria, The Orange Door and other agencies to support the health, safety and wellbeing of people across Northern Melbourne”

Media Contact

For media enquiries, contact Rick Jackson Executive Manager Client Experience & Community Engagement on 0448 998 079 or Rick.Jackson@dpvhealth.org.au

DPV Health is a not-for-profit organisation that offers exceptional health, disability and social services to people of all ages across the cities of Hume and Whittlesea. As one of Victoria’s largest & most comprehensive community health organisations, DPV Health provides an extensive range of medical, dental, allied health, paediatric, disability, mental health and programs to support vulnerable people.

During Occupational Therapy Week we celebrate occupational therapy and promote the many ways occupational therapists help all people to reach their potential. OT Week 2021 is Monday 25 October to Sunday 31 October.

This year’s theme of participation, inclusion and independence celebrates the role OTs play in supporting people in activities they find meaningful.

What does an Occupational Therapist do?

Occupational Therapists (OTs) provides support to people who find it difficult to do meaningful tasks that they really would like to do such as showering, eating, cooking, attending social groups or grocery shopping. An OT will work with you to identify your goals, strengths and difficulties, and provide solutions that can help you remain safe and live independently in your own home. This may include prescribing equipment, recommending home modifications such as grab rails or banister rails and providing education on falls prevention or energy conservation strategies.

Tips on what you can do at home to help prevent falls and injury

Preventing Falls at home

1 in 4 people over 65 experience a fall each year. Majority of falls happen in and around the home.

Here are some tips and tricks to preventing falls in your home.

• Keep walkways in your home clear of clutter.
• Tape down any exposed cords along the wall to keep them off the floor.
• If your rugs or mats have curled edges, tape them down too or remove them.
• If you have steps or stairs, consider marking the edges with high contrast tape to help you spot the change in levels. You can do this too with changes in floor surfaces.
• Be mindful when wearing clothes or dressing gowns that are too long or loose, as they can get caught on things.
• Keep regularly used items between hip and shoulder height to avoid bending and reaching.
• Get out of bed slowly; this will give your body a chance to adjust to being in an upright position after lying down for a long time.
• Sensor lights for hallways can be useful for night-time toilet trips.
• Give your eyes enough time to adjust when walking behind lighter to darker areas.
• Consider a grab rail or slip-resistant flooring in the bathroom and shower.
• If you have a pet, put a bell on their collar so you can look out for them when they are nearby.

As we age, so do our homes. Our homes go through general ‘wear and tear’. We often find it difficult to identify what needs repair or maintenance because we have lived there for many years. If you notice anything that needs fixing, speak to your local council or My Aged Care about subsidised services you can access to help manage those risks.

My Aged Care: 1800 200 422

General Safety Check for every home:

• I have a working smoke alarm
• I have a torch handy
• My phone easily accessible
• The doorways clear for emergency services to access my property

Floors:

• I have checked that my rugs and mats have slip resistant backing
• I have secured my rugs and mats to prevent them from curling in the corners
• I keep my floors clear of clutter – including cords

Lighting:

• I have a lamp or a night light near the bed
• The light switches in my home are easy to get to

Stairs and Steps:

• I have something safe to hold on to when going up or down steps
• I can tell where each step starts and stops
• My stairs/steps are clear of pots, plants and other objects

Download the information sheet here

Pacing and Energy Conservation

What is Pacing and Energy Conservation?

Pacing and energy conservation involve completing tasks in a way that reduces the amount of energy you use. This will leave you more energy to do activities you want to do and find enjoyable. With practice pacing and energy conservation can also gradually increase the overall daily activity you can do.

Why Pacing and Energy Conservation

Pacing and Energy Conservation can allow you to complete the daily tasks you find important. Pain can change the way we complete tasks day to day. The picture shows the cycle of pain and activity. This cycle can lead to us doing less and less activity over time.

How to do Pacing and Energy Conservation

There are many ways to use Pacing and Energy Conservation strategies in your life. The main ways to remember are the 6 P’s of Pacing and Energy Conservation:

Plan: Plan your day in advance. Understand you energy levels and plan that amount of activity. Ensure you plan regular rests.
Prepare: Prepare for certain tasks to lower the energy needed. For example, pre-cutting your vegetables before cooking.
Prioritise: Be aware of what tasks need to be completed and focus on those for the day. Other tasks can wait until you have more time or having everything you need easy to reach.
Positioning: Good posture and alternating between sitting and standing can help give some muscles a rest while you switch to using others.
Pacing: Break your day or activities into smaller parts with regular rests
Positive attitude: Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. Celebrate even little victories and improvements

Download the information sheet here

For information on DPV Health’s Occupational Therapy services and programs click here.

Please note, due to COVID-19 restrictions we are not able to provide services to new clients. Our services are due to resume later this year.