P: (03) 5477 2100
In an Emergency Call 000
Primary Care
Primary care is all the health services people can access in their community, without needing to travel to or be admitted to hospital. It includes the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions as well as the prevention of health issues occurring and promoting health in the community.
Types of primary care include general practice and allied health services, maternal and child health services, mental health services and community health centres and nursing clinics.
Primary care includes things like regular check-ups, treatment for common illnesses and injuries, and help managing chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma. It’s an important service because it helps people stay healthy and addresses health problems early on before they become more serious.
- The pathway people generally take to other services.
- A point of coordination between other services.
- Located in the community.
- Directly connected to people’s daily lives and to the management of their wellbeing.
Accessing Services
At EWHS we are committed to providing better health and wellbeing outcomes for the community.
Accessing our wide range of primary care services is simple and convenient, ensuring that you receive the care you need when you need it.
For more information about our services contact the EWHS Central Intake Team on 5477 2222 or intake@ewhs.org.au.
See the Allied Health Brochure.
Fees
EWHS offers a range of subsidised, non-funded fee and free services within Primary care. Please read the Primary Care Fees brochure for more information or call 5477 2222 or intake@ewhs.org.au.
Referrals
Referrals for EWHS Primary Care services are accepted via self-referrals, GPs and other health professionals. All enquiries and referrals for Allied Health Services are through our Central Intake service.
How to make an appointment for a Primary Care service
To access any of EWHS Primary Care services, please contact our friendly central intake team on 5477 2222 or intake@ewhs.org.au.
Primary Care Services
Allied Health
Allied Health refers to services that play a part in optimising your day-to-day quality of life, degree of independence and reduce the risk of further problems. Our services aim to work with you to develop a personalised plan that supports you to achieve your goals so you can live your life to your full potential. These East Wimmera Health Services are mainly offered at Campus Centres, with some being offered off site in homes and community.
See the Allied Health Brochure.
How can I access Allied Health Services?
All enquiries and referrals for Allied Health Services are through our Central Intake service. Fees for service will be advised.
You can contact us by:
- Ph: 54 772 222 / fax 54 772 131
- E: intake@ewhs.org.au
- Or Call in to any campus reception
You will then have a brief telephone conversation with a Community Health Nurse at a time that suits you. From the discussion, referrals that you agree to will be made.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
A lifestyle support program for people who have had a heart attack, heart surgery, coronary angioplasty or angina. People who are overweight, smoke or have high blood pressure are also encouraged to attend.
Designed to get you back on your feet, assist with recovery and a return to a healthy lifestyle, the program takes you through guided exercise, and information sessions from qualified staff including Physiotherapists, nurses, Dietitians and Social Workers.
Information and support for people and carers prior to heart surgery or procedures is also provided.
Continence Service
The Continence Service is a specialist adult service, offering assessment advice and support for people with bladder and bowel issues.
Our multidisciplinary team of clinicians can help with applications for funding of continence products, confidential appointments, and referrals through My Aged Care.
A specialist continence nurse with extensive education and training in continence care is available at all campuses and home visits can be arranged. Our team can work with you to assess your condition and collaboratively develop a management plan to suit your needs.
See the Continence Service Brochure.
Continence issues can include:
- Any leakage from the bladder or bowel.
- Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
- Urgency – rushing to get to toilet.
- Frequency – needing to go to toilet very often.
- Urinary retention – unable to pass urine.
- Leaking urine when standing up, or when lifting heavy objects.
- Leaking when playing sport.
- Unable to physically get to toilet in time.
- Planning your social life around toilet availability.
- Bladder or bowel issues that cause you distress.
- Catheters and drainage bags.
Diabetes Education
EWHS has a diabetes team available to assist anyone living with pre-diabetes, type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes.
Working closely with your GP or specialist, they can assist with equipment, education and information on diabetes, medication, and self-management of the condition.
EWHS Primary Care services are delivered at all our sites(campuses) and if needed Home Visits can be arranged with all of our clinicians.
Dietetics
Food can influence health and wellbeing, and the dietetics service at EWHS offers consultation on all aspects of food and nutrition to our local community.
Our qualified dietitians can help you with:
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol.
- Heart disease.
- Diabetes.
- Weight concerns.
- Body image.
- Food intolerances and allergies.
- Childhood nutrition.
District Nursing
If you’ve seen a nurse out and about in the community, they could be from our District Nursing team. We aim to keep clients in their homes, treating the communities’ needs with specialist nursing and friendly care.
Our District Nursing Service provides clinical nursing support in the home. Services are available for shorter or longer periods depending on your individual needs.
District Nursing Services are available to anyone who needs clinical nursing support in the home. There are eligibility and suitability requirements which are considered on an individual basis.
Our team of registered and enrolled nurses offer a range of services that can include:
- Wound management
- Medication monitoring, management, and education
- Diabetes education, support, and management
- Stomal and catheter care
- General health monitoring and education
- Health assessments, service advice and referrals
- Showering/hygiene assessments
- Advanced Care Planning – making decisions about your future healthcare treatment options
- Advice and assistance with referrals to other services
- Palliative care support
- Personal Alarm Victoria Assessments
- DVA Community Nursing
- Hospital in the Home
Our staff co-ordinate your care with other healthcare providers including your GP, to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Who are the services for?
Any person of any age can access services. You can self-refer or be referred by your GP, Health Worker or other service. Priority is given to those with special needs, low income or chronic health conditions.
Hospital Admission Risk Program
Our Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP) is a free program supporting people of all ages with chronic illness and their carers to live well in the community and reduce admissions to hospital.
You do not need a referral to access the program.
You are eligible if you:
- Have a chronic illness
- Other complex health needs
- Need hospital treatment
A HARP Care Coordinator will work with you and any of the following services:
- Physiotherapy
- District Nursing Service
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Dietician
- Social Worker / Counselling / Psychology
- Other services or community supports as agreed to by you
Team members will visit you in your home to ensure you and your family receive the best possible care and support to make sure you stay as healthy as possible.
Healthy@Home
Is a free phone support service to help people to stay well at home.
Healthy@Home is for anyone over 18 years of age who has a condition that makes them vulnerable and at risk of hospitalisation.
Telehealth assistants will give you a call one to three times each week, dependent on your need, to see if you have any health concerns. When needed, you will then be referred to our Care Coordinator who will manage further services and interventions to help you feel well again.
The phone call will cover questions regarding:
- General health
- Medical and medical care
- Social and family support
- Your living environment
- Your care
See the Healthy@Home Brochure.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, phone the Healthy@Home team on 5477 2100 during normal office hours.
GP’s or other health professionals can also phone Healthy@Home to discuss how the telehealth service may assist an individual.
We will then set up an appointment in your home to coordinate enrolment.
This service does not replace GP visits or an ambulance in an emergency and is only available during normal office hours.
Home Services
EWHS provides Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) within the Buloke Shire. The CHSP program supports older people (aged 65 years or older or 50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) to get help with everyday tasks in their home. The program helps people to maintain independence and live safely in their own home.
We offer the following services.
- Domestic assistance including general house cleaning and laundry.
- Home maintenance including general garden maintenance.
- Personal care including assistance with bathing, eating, dressing and grooming.
- Delivered meals including meals prepared and delivered to your home.
To receive home care services you must be registered with My Aged Care 1800 200 422.
Medical Imaging
EWHS provides several imaging services at our St Arnaud campus, eliminating the need to travel long distances for imaging appointments.
In partnership with, and utilising equipment provided by EWHS, the Radiology provider is Lake Imaging, under the banner of Maryborough District Health Services.
The service is available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9:00am until 5:00pm
Services we provide (with a referral and by appointment only)
- All general X-Rays
- Ultrasounds – extensive range of ultrasounds including:
- Liver Elastography/Shearwave
- Obstetric ultrasounds <12 weeks through 22 weeks+ inc. morphology and 20-week scans
We bulk bill most examinations with referrals from GPs and specialists.
Referrals also accepted from Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Nurse Practitioners, but some examinations require a fee for these referrals.
Mental Health Services
We provide Mental Health support including:
- Psychologist.
- Social Worker / Generalist Counsellor.
- Flying Doctor Wellbeing.
- Mental Health Nurse.
How can I access Mental Health Services?
Please contact the central intake team on 5477 2222 or intake@ewhs.org.au. You can also talk to your GP.
We take:
- Self-referrals
- GP referrals
Psychologist
A team of clinicians provides focused psychological strategies and techniques to treat mental health problems and disorders. Different clinicians will have different training, skills and experience using certain techniques. Some techniques you might have heard of include:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Short-term or Solution-focused Therapy
Clinicians choose techniques that have been proven to be helpful for problems.
You can ask your clinician for more information about the techniques they use.
Social Worker / Generalist Counsellor
The social workers at EWHS offers counselling for low to mild mental health issues, including help with:
- Grief and loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
Our social workers are available to assist with the completion of various forms, including pension applications and income and asset declarations. In addition to these, they can help with a wide range of other documentation, ensuring that clients receive the support they need to navigate complex processes. Their expertise not only alleviates the stress associated with form-filling but also ensures accuracy and completeness, helping clients access the benefits and services they are entitled to.
All services are provided for 3 to 6 sessions, based on individual needs and preferences. If additional support is necessary, further referrals can be arranged.
Mental Health Nurse
EWHS enhances your care by providing a visiting Mental Health Nurse for medication reviews, ensuring optimal medication management for your mental health.
To see the Mental Health Nurse, contact any EWHS Campus reception and ask to speak to the Senior Counselling and Wellbeing Clinician. Reception staff will take your details and the Senior Clinician will phone you back to make an appointment.
Flying Doctor Wellbeing
East Wimmera Health Service and Flying Doctor Wellbeing have partnered to bring mental health support to the community. Operating out of the Wycheproof campus, the Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, sees clients face-to-face and delivers telehealth services across the catchment in partnership with Flying Doctor Wellbeing.
Face-to-face and telehealth appointments are available to help with:
- Trauma
- Low mood or depression
- Feelings of stress, anxiety or panic
- Grief and loss
- Relationship difficulties
- Loneliness and isolation
- Sleep problems
This service welcomes but does not require a Mental Health Plan or GP referral. Referrals can be made via EWHS central intake team or by calling the Flying Doctor Wellbeing team directly on 8412 0480.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists are trained health professionals who assist people in enabling them to do their day-to-day activities that may be affected by an illness, injury, ageing or people who are experiencing developmental delays.
We offer the following Occupational Therapy services:
- Pre-operation assessments
- Home safety assessments and modifications
- Pressure care education and equipment trials
- Falls risk assessments
- Equipment assessments and hire, including scooter assessments
- Energy conservation education
Residential Aged Care
- Initial assessments
- Equipment assessments
- Activities of daily living intervention
Occupational therapy services are delivered across all campuses. Home visits can be arranged where required.
Physiotherapy
EWHS can guide you to prevent or manage acute, sub-acute or chronic disease or injury. Staff Physiotherapists, aim to restore optimal physical function, health and wellness.
Physiotherapy supports people of all ages to do more and do better. Physiotherapists can diagnosis and treat muscles, joints, spinal and sport injuries, neurological conditions e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis, dizziness, falls and balance, heart and lung problems and long-term pain.
We offer the following Physiotherapy services:
- Rehabilitation
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Diabetes exercise
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Pulmonary maintenance
Physiotherapy services are delivered across all campuses. Home visits can be arranged where required.
Planned Activity Groups
Planned Activity Groups (PAGs) offer opportunities for social interaction through group and community-based activities outside the home. Designed to accommodate clients with diverse interests and abilities, PAG enables participation in various activities, celebrations, and outings within a safe and welcoming environment. Available at all five EWHS campuses, PAG invites community members from diverse backgrounds to stay socially connected and engaged.
Read to Planned Activity Group brochure for more information.
Podiatry
Our Podiatry service is for clients who have a condition that places their lower limb at risk of complications or have a significant foot problem.
The Podiatrists can assess, treat and give advice on a wide range of problems affecting the feet, lower limbs, gait and mobility and how to prevent foot disorders.
They can help with:
- Foot pressure injuries.
- Wounds and infections on feet and toes.
- Foot problems that affect walking, running or doing activities at work.
- Gait or balance problems for all ages.
- Foot problems from chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney failure, arthritis, cancer, circulation or nerve problems.
- Shoes and orthotics problems.
- Corns and callouses that are affecting your gait or walking.
- Problems or deformities that need long term rehabilitation using casts, insoles, pads or braces.
- Ingrown toenails that need surgery or bracing.
Foot Care Nurse
Footcare Nurses work closely with Podiatrists and are trained in caring for the low-risk foot, including nail care and general foot health. Following a podiatry assessment, clients may be referred to the Foot Care Nurse for ongoing treatment including routine nail care for eligible clients.
Podiatry services are delivered across all campuses. Home visits can be arranged where required.
Post Acute Care
People don’t stop needing care after they’ve been discharged from hospital. Community-based services and home-based therapy help clients recover at home after leaving hospital. Post Acute Care services are free for 28 days post discharge.
EWHS offer the following Post Acute Care services:
- District nursing, including wound care and medication administration
- Allied health services
- Home and personal care assistance
- Ongoing care
