DPV Health - Pulse Newsletter - Summer 2021/22

Pulse HEALTHY EATING & GETTING ACTIVE for summer

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SAFETY TIPS FOR A

HEALTHY SUMMER

ORAL HEALTH FOR OLDER ADULTS SCHOOL READINESS FOR 2022

& much more!

SUMMER 2021/22

KEEPING YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWS

contents 3. Welcome to Pulse 4. 4 safety tips for a healthy summer 6. Importance of a heart check 7. Alcohol consumption over summer, how to stay safe 8. Optimizing oral health for older adults 9. School readiness for news starters 10. Healthy eating tips 11. Getting active in summer 12. Sports for women and girls 13. 30 minutes a day to achieve your fitness goals 14. LGBTIQ Community Connect Facebook page 15. International day of people with disability 15. Careers at DPV Health 16. Meet our team 17. Client stories 18. COVID-19 booster shot advice 19. Add your voice for healthy kids

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Who we are

Welcome

DPV Health is a not-for-profit organisation that offers exceptional health care services to people of all ages. We are the largest community health provider in Melbourne’s North, operating across five Local Government areas (LGAs): Whittlesea, Hume, Mitchell, Melton, and Banyule.

Season’s Greetings Everyone

Our vision Our vision is seeking to support the health and wellbeing of our community.

Acknowledgment of Traditional Custodians and Country DPV Health acknowledge the Kulin Nations as First Peoples, and Aboriginal traditional owners and custodians of the lands and waters on which we are meeting today and pay respects to their Elders and communities.

Welcome to the summer edition of “PULSE”!

We hope you find the edition entertaining and informative. It will assist you to access the services that you and your family need to support their better health and wellbeing.

What a year it has been! DPV Health continues to play an integral role in the Coronavirus pandemic.

Our people have delivered over 120,000 COVID tests and nearly 80,000 vaccinations across Northern Melbourne. We are expanding our COVID testing programs with new seven day/week testing sites opening in Broadmeadows and Mill Park in early December 2021.

Addressing important needs in our community remains DPV Health’s highest priority. Over the last year, DPV Health has opened new services including mental health, family violence and the children’s School Readiness Program.

DPV Health has resumed face to face services.

To keep everyone safe, we encourage you to get vaccinated and maintain all COVID safety protocols including QR codes, hand hygiene and social distancing. Full details on programs and services are available via our website at www.dpvhealth.org.au.

The DPV Health team would love to receive your . feedback on PULSE Summer edition by sending an email to. marketing@dpvhealth.org.au.

Thank you for the incredible support you have provided to DPV Health throughout 2021.

Wishing you a lovely summer and a joyous 2022.

Don Tidbury CEO, DPV Health

1300 234 263 dpvhealth.org.au © DPV Health Ltd 2021 ABN 68 047 988 477 ACN 136 371 152

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healthy summer 4 safety tips for a

Summer in Australia is a great time to enjoy catching up with friends and spending time outdoors. No matter what your plans are this summer, staying safe should be a top priority. Before you head outside this summer, remember, insects, heat and sunburn can take the fun right out of your day.

2. Insect bites and stings

1. Heatstroke Insect bites and stings are a common part of summer, and while the odd mosquito bite might not cause you much trouble, some stings and bites can be serious. In fact, some bites and stings can cause a potentially fatal allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in some people.

Heatstroke occurs when your body overheats. This can happen if you exercise in hot weather or spend too much time in high temperatures.

Heatstroke requires emergency treatment as it can cause damage to your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. Heatstroke can also result in death.

Signs of heatstroke include: > a high body temperature > confusion, agitation, slurred speech or delirium > nausea or vomiting > rapid breathing > headache > rapid heart rate Heatstroke can be avoided by staying indoors or out of the heat during the middle of the day. If someone near you is experiencing heatstroke, call 000 and wait for an ambulance.

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Signs of anaphylaxis include: > a swollen tongue > abdominal pain or vomiting > difficult or noisy breathing > difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice > pale and floppy (young children) > persistent dizziness or collapse > swelling or tightness in the throat > wheeze or persistent cough What should you do: > insect repellent > wear a hat net > light coloured clothing Did you know Ross River Virus and Murray Valley Encephalitis do occur in Victoria including in the Surf Coast, Geelong Bellarine Peninsula, Murray River and Gippsland. It is important for people from Melbourne who travel to holiday in these areas be aware. If you or someone near you experiences these symptoms, dial 000 right away.

3. Food poisoning

4. Sunburn Sunburn happens when the skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It causes damage to the skin, which can develop into skin cancer, including melanoma. Sunburn can happen in as little as eleven minutes, and it can take weeks to heal. Mild sunburn can usually be treated at home; however, severe sunburn that blisters needs medical attention.

Did you know food poisoning is more common in summer than at any other time of the year?

This is because bacteria grow faster in hot and humid weather.

Food poisoning is caused by eating contaminated food. Food can be contaminated when it is handled, stored, or prepared incorrectly or left outside, unrefrigerated. Some foods have a higher risk of causing food poisoning.

A large number of Australians get food poisoning every year and some people are more at risk than others. Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people with chronic illnesses are at particularly at risk. Take care when preparing, storing or serving food, especially during the warmer summer months. The symptoms of food poisoning may vary depending on the type of bacteria causing the illness. Symptoms can range from mild to very severe and it can occur almost immediately after eating, or several hours later, and they can last from 24 hours to 5 days.

When you get sick, you usually experience one or more of: > nausea, vomiting > stomach cramps, diarrhoea > fever, headaches If you experience symptoms and think you have food poisoning, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Checking your skin for sun damage is important. Be sure to check your whole body for any new or changing spots. Talk to your doctor if you find anything that looks or feels different from other spots on your skin.

Seek medical attention if you detect a spot that has changed size, shape, colour or texture.

When you are in the sun, the best way to prevent sunburn is to ‘slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’. > slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible > slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF30+ sunscreen > slap on a hat which is broad-brimmed or legionnaire-style to protect your face, head, neck and ears > seek some shade > slide on some sunglasses, making sure they meet Australian Standards Small children and babies have especially sensitive skin. They should not be in direct sunlight when UV levels are higher than three. If buying sunscreen for children, opt for a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ waterproof sunscreen that includes zinc. It’s also a good idea to schedule children’s outdoor time before 11am or after 3pm during the summer months.

Concerned about a skin spot?

Make an appointment at one of DPV Health’s Medical Centres for a skin check. To book call 1300 234 263 or CLICK HERE to book online.

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importance of a

heart check A heart health check looks to detect issues with your heart health. Coronary heart disease is usually the underlying cause of a heart attack and is Australia’s number one cause of death. Coronary heart disease is caused when the arteries leading to the heart become hardened or narrow.

A heart health check is an important part of overall health and should be conducted every 5 years once you reach 45 years and over or 30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

For those that are in the 65+ category heart health checks are of particular importance as the risk doubles every decade after 55 in fact 75% of strokes occur in people 65+. This is due to a range of factors including reduction in physical activity and a higher level of conditions that increase cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.

A heart health check at DPV Health is a checkup performed by your Doctor or Practice Nurse that helps you understand your risk factors for heart disease and estimates how likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years. When coming in for a heart health check there are a few things we look at to determine your overall heart health. These include performing a blood pressure check, an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, checking cholesterol and blood sugar levels and a discussion about your lifestyle.

Your lifestyle is an important part of assessing your risk of heart disease, as 6 these factors can all play a part.

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You may be asked about: your diet, physical activity levels, if you smoke or drink alcohol, whether you are maintaining a healthy weight and your medical and family history. We use the information gathered to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years and if needed we will implement a heart health plan for improving your risk factors for heart disease and keep on top of your heart health. This may include taking medication and making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.

Here at DPV Health we offer a wide range of health professionals that we may refer you to in order to best support your health needs. For example, this could include seeing a dietitian to help you make the right changes to your diet or other lifestyle support programs and walking groups. Understanding your risk of having a heart attack or stroke is the first step in lowering the risk.

WATCH VIDEO

In this video, Andrew (Practice Nurse at DPV Health) talks about the imporatnce of a heart check.

Book a heart check

Make an appointment at one of DPV Health’s Medical Centres. To book call 1300 234 263 or CLICK HERE to book online.

alcohol

consumption over summer,

how to stay safe

The warmer weather is finally here, and for many Australians, that also coincides with holidays and Christmas festivities. Whether you’re heading away on a road trip or staying close to home, understanding how to drink alcohol responsibly will ensure you have a happy and safe summer.

Know your limits

Stay out of the hot sun

Alcohol affects everyone differently. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that healthy adults do not exceed more than 4 standard drinks on any given day. They also recommend that adults do not drink more than 10 standard drinks a week. People who are pregnant and children under the age of eighteen, should not drink alcohol at all.

Alcohol can increase the risk of sunburn.

This is because alcohol decreases the body’s ability to protect the skin from UV light. If you are consuming alcohol outdoors, reapply sunscreen regularly, wear a hat and socialise in the shade.

Aside from giving you a nasty case of sunburn, the sun can dehydrate you and cause heatstroke. Heat-related illnesses are made worse by alcohol consumption. Be sure to look out for signs of: > headache > nausea > dizziness > fainting > vomiting or diarrhoea

Avoid swimming and water sports Source: The Australian Diabetes Educator (ADE)

Drink plenty of water Did you know that alcohol is a diuretic? This means that when you drink alcohol, your body loses fluids faster than when you drink other liquids, like water. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water throughout the day.

An easy way to do this is to have a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks. If you find that your mouth, skin or eyes are feeling dry, make sure to increase your water intake.

Swimming and water sports are great things to do on a hot day, but not if you’re drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption impairs your decision-making abilities and makes it difficult to react to changing situations.

Having alcohol in your system can also reduce the effectiveness of CPR. If you’re having a few alcoholic drinks, play it safe and stay out of the water.

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oral health

Optimizing oral health for older adults Why oral health care is important for older people Oral health is a significant factor affecting older peoples’ quality of life, overall health and wellbeing. Tooth loss, tooth decay (dental caries), gum disease (periodontitis), dry mouth (xerostomia) and oral cancers are commonly experienced by older people.

Management and/or prevention of these conditions can be achieved by: > routine oral health assessment > oral health care planning > support with daily oral care > referral to a dental professional While older people may or may not visit a dental professional on a regular basis, they do interact with a wide range of health care workers who are responsible for assessing and monitoring their health as well as assisting with personal care. You can develop the oral health knowledge and skills needed to support older people as they transition from independence to formal care by using the following resource packages: > Better Oral Health in Home Care provides simple preventative strategies to maintain good oral health > Better Oral Health in Residential Care supports the provision of oral care for frail older people with complex needs.

Quality of life and oral health Poor oral health affects an older person’s ability to chew and eat a variety of foods.

This causes poor dietary intake and weight loss. Discomfort from poor oral health disrupts sleep and the ability to relax. It also affects an older person’s appearance, selfesteem and self-confidence as well as their ability to talk and communicate effectively.

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General health and oral health Oral health and disease are closely related to general health and disease.

The mouth acts as a portal for disease with tooth decay and gum disease sharing links with many of the chronic medical conditions experienced by older people such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory diseases.

Diabetes Diabetes is a high risk factor for gum disease and oral infections such as thrush. Poor diabetic control aggravates gum disease. The systemic inflammatory response caused by gum disease exacerbates diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Dry mouth Dry mouth is a common side effect of many of the medications prescribed for older people. It is an uncomfortable condition. Dry mouth affects a person’s ability to speak, taste, chew and swallow food. It increases the risk of tooth decay, oral infections and aspiration pneumonia.

WATCH VIDEO

VIDEO HERE In this video, James (Dentist at DPV Health) gives tips oral health for older adults.

Book a dental check-up

Make an appointment at one of DPV Health’s Dental Centres. To book call 1300 234 263 or CLICK HERE.

school readiness With the new school year on the horizon, many parents are thinking about how their children will cope with the challenges and demands of school life. In this article, we look at school readiness and what it means for children who are about to start school.

What is school readiness?

The term ‘school readiness’ refers to whether a child is ready to start school. While many people think about the academic aspects of starting school, such as a child’s ability to write their name or count to 10, there is a much broader set of skills that a child needs to master to be ‘school ready. These include concentrating, regulating emotions, playing with other children, and going to the toilet independently.

Why are school readiness skills important?

School readiness skills are important because they allow school teachers to further develop a child’s skills across various situations, including social interactions, language, literacy, fine motor skills and play.

Children who do not have these basic skills can spend a lot of their school time trying to catch up with the rest of the class. Children who are school-ready and have these basic skills tend to advance quickly. School readiness skills at a glance > social skills - being able to get along with other children and play both independently and with others > emotional maturity - being able to manage their emotions, focus on tasks, and follow directions from teachers > language skills - being able to speak clearly, understand stories, and identify some letters and sounds

for new starters!

> cognitive skills – being able to wait and take turns and show basic problem-solving skills > physical health and coordination - being able to grip a pencil (fine motor skills) and run, jump, and climb (gross motor skills) > independence - being able to do basic tasks without adult supervision, such as going to the toilet, dressing, unpacking their lunch and looking after their belongings

What can you do to help?

> If you are unsure whether your child is ready to start school, talk to your child’s preschool/ kindergarten teacher or early childhood educator. You might also like to try some basic activities at home.

Remember, preschool children learn best through play. > have play dates with other children starting at the same school > let your child practise drawing or using stickers > encourage your child to dress and undress themselves and use the toilet independently > encourage conversation! Ask your child about how they feel or what they like or don’t like. > read with your child as much as possible > practice counting with your child > play games where your child can practise taking turns, sharing, and waiting Aside from all the great things you can do at home to get your child school-ready, you might also like to think about making a few appointments with your family doctor, dentist, or optometrist to make sure that your child can see, hear and play to their fullest ability. Talk to the team at DPV Health for more information.

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healthy eating

this summer

Getting started with “Mindful Eating” Mindful eating is the practice of listening to your bodies’ internal hunger and fullness cues and choosing foods that make us feel good, with all foods being accepted. Practicing a more mindful approach to eating can enhance the enjoyment of your meals, reduce overeating, aid good digestion, reduce anxious thoughts surrounding food, and improve your psychological relationship with food.

Tips to help you practice mindful eating: > be in the present, take 3 deep breaths before beginning to eat > take a break between mouthfuls, put your cutlery or food down between mouthfuls > try to eat without the distraction of screens and sit down. Do not eat standing or walking! > if you are still hungry after finishing your meal, wait 10-20 minutes before having more, it can take our brain that long to realise we are full > choose foods you enjoy, that make you feel good Click here to download a guide for mindful eating.

Tips and advice for the festive season The end of the year is a busy time for many, with calendars full of social events and family commitments.

Tips to help look after your body and mind: > block out time to relax, it will help recharge your batteries > focus on what makes you feel good, choose food and activities that energises your body and mind > limit alcohol to the weekend and choose flavoured soda water during the week for a fizzy fix!

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Looking for healthy, tasty and easy to make recipes for summer? visit goodfoodforgoodhealth.com.au

Staying hydrated in Summer When we are hydrated our bodies function better so we feel better. Staying hydrated is easy.

Try these simple tips to stay hydrated: > choose water as your drink of choice whenever possible > carry a drink bottle with you, to stay hydrated while out and about and reduce the likelihood of choosing sugar sweetened beverages > try low sugar cordial, flavoured tea or lemon to flavour water if you struggle to drink enough > remember: water, milk, tea and coffee all count towards your recommended consumption Click here to download a guide to how much water you should be drinking.

getting active The importance of children exercising for 60 minutes a day

this summer

WATCH VIDEO

It’s no secret that moving more helps us to be fitter and healthier. Research shows that 60 minutes of exercise per day can boost your child’s general health and well-being.

Did you know that kids’ physical activity has decreased even more during lockdowns?

This is due to online learning, more screen time, as well as the lack of activity that they may have had when they were at school physically e.g., running around during lunch and recess times, not walking, riding to and from schools, reduced sports, etc.

Click here to download physical activity ideas to help encourage your child be more active at home and outdoors.

In this video you can learn about the importance of moving more and being physically active for your child’s physical and mental wellbeing.

5 Benefits of 60 mins of exercise per day: 1. improves health and fitness 2. improves concentration & learning 3. builds confidence & social skills 4. improves sleep 5. strengthens muscles & bones

You can find your local park, walking track or activity centre in Hume click here and Whittlesea click here.

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Encouraging more women and girls to participate in a sport.

Working in partnership with CoW, DPV Health are working to increase the number of women and girls in sporting clubs in Whittlesea.

The objectives of the grants project are: > to support clubs to provide increased opportunities for female participation in sport and recreation clubs in CoW > to build the capacity of sports clubs to create gender equity within sport settings > to increase awareness and educate clubs on gender inequity and barriers to participation faced by women and girls. > to provide a platform for women and girls to build skills and feel empowered to become influencers in their sporting clubs and communities.

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> Provide leadership and mentoring opportunities within sport for women and girls.

The impacts of COVID-19 have been devastating for many sporting organisations.

Interruptions to operations, club closures and job losses put the gains of recent work on diversity and inclusion at risk.

Valuing and supporting gender equality means continuing to prioritise women’s and girls’ participation at all levels.

It also means ensuring sports facilities and clubs are welcoming and safe spaces for women and girls and proactively engaging and supporting women in the sports workforce and sports leadership.

This project aims to break down the barriers which prevent higher female participation in local clubs.

Sanjay’sofFitness Journey Benefits cardiovascular Sanjay has a young family and works fitness Being active is important for physical and mental health.

Studies show that regular movement reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease. It also improves mental health through the natural release of feel-good hormones. It is recommended that adults Fit in 30 minutes of movement on every day of the week to maintain good health.

Did you know that 57% of adults in Hume and 52% of adults in Whittlesea are not active enough and Type 2 Diabetes, a life long disease is 2 times more likely to develop in adults in Hume and Whittlesea than the rest of Victoria?

long hours in a sedentary job. His journey Improving to better your health cardiovascular started with walking fitness, known around as the heart swimming health is pool proven while to help his reduce daughter the chance took swimming of havinglessons. a heart Over attack ortime, developing this ledType to better 2 Diabetes. heart health and reduced risk of developing Diabetes.

Being active has improved not only Sanjay’s health but his productivity at work, reduced stress and anxiety and improved his self-confidence. His positive behaviours have also encouraged colleagues and friends to eat better and move more. They now come to him for advice on how to Fit in 30 in their routine and eat healthy. To find out more about Fit in 30, click here.

30 minutes of movement a week should equate to 2 ½ to 5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity or 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours of vigorous intensity physical activity.

> Click here for more information 13

DPV Health

news & highlights

New Facebook Community Page “LGBTIQ Community Connect” DPV Health is excited to invite all LGBTIQ community members in Whittlesea and Hume to the LGBTIQ Community Connect program. This will provide a safe and supportive community for LGBTIQ people to flourish and thrive.

LGBTIQ community connect will include social events, trivia, film, book groups, health information and more. There is a Facebook page where LGBTIQ people can connect with each other within the local community.

It is important that everyone can feel safe to be themselves, therefore the community page is private and will only allow users through a screening process to protect our members.

Tom Pinhorn is a qualified counsellor with a master’s degree in gender, sexuality, and culture. He is passionate about building and preserving community and culture; ensuring that all LGBTIQ communities, across all intersections, can feel supported and connected to the wider Whittlesea and Hume community.

To join, visit www.facebook.com/groups/ lgbtiqnorth or click here.

Community members will have the ability to remain anonymous and all posts are moderated to create a peaceful and supportive environment for everybody.

This ongoing campaign is being led by Tom Pinhorn, DPV Health’s new LGBTIQ Advocate /Group Facilitator.

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For more information email Tom at tom.pinhorn@dpvhealth.org.au

DPV Health

news & highlights WATCH VIDEO

International Day of People with Disability - 3 December 2021 Every year on 3 December, people around the world take part in International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). It is a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability and promote awareness, understanding and acceptance in our community. To celebrate this year, DPV Health’s disability team and clients celebrated the event with a day full of entertainment and fun!

See me, not my disability Many people will see someone with a disability, and simply stop there, failing to see anything else.

This video was created by DPV Health to encourage people to not judge a person on their disability, but see them as a whole person.

Careers at DPV Health At DPV Health, we pride ourselves on being inclusive and actively embrace and celebrate the diversity of all people within our communities. We are passionate about supporting people to lead happy, healthy lives.

We currently have several positions available for health professionals. If you or someone you know might be interested, click here to find out more information.

Paediatric services are available at DPV Health.

Call 1300 234 263 to arrange an appointment at one of our Medical Centres for a referral.

“I love how inclusive DPV Health has become and taking its community and staff on a rewarding journey, its truly an innovative and flexible work place.”

- Neela (Population Health) 1515

DPV Health

meet our team

Heather Dowsett

Nimesha Jayakody

Volunteer at DPV Health

Paediatric Speech Pathologist and ECIS Integration Lead at DPV Health

Heather Dowsett joined DPV Health, in 2020, where she started with driving the mini buses and supporting the social support team with client pick up and drop off and occasional outings. During the peak of the pandemic she also put her hand up to support and assist with hamper making on the Foodlink Program. Fast forward to 2021 she is now supporting the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies team with picking up donated baby goods from an organization called “St Kilda Mums” and making contactless door to door deliveries to expected mothers who are struggling to make ends meet.

As a Speech Pathologist, I support a broad and diverse range of children. I am passionate about empowering families, educators and the wider community. I am also in the School Readiness Team whereby my unique role is to provide allied health training sessions, mentoring and coaching support to build the capacity of Kindergarten Teachers. I am looking forward to making a greater difference this year within the Early Childhood Intervention Service team as the new Integration Lead.

Han Thar Kyin Dr Noor Altamimi Dentist at DPV Health

I started working as a general dentist at DPV Health in 2015. I treat patients from different cultural backgrounds and age groups. I can speak Arabic and therefore help many of our refugee patients. I enjoy performing root canal treatment for my patients when they need it. I love and enjoy my role at DPV Health as I get the opportunity to look after many patients and help the community!

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Exercise Physiologist at DPV Health I have been an Exercise Physiologist for over six years and my role as an EP gives me immense satisfaction in looking after clients with different cultural backgrounds with a lot of health issues ranging from chronic pain, heart issues, chronic lungs problems. I love prescribing safe exercise programs as well as running group programs to help people achieve their goals. I also assist clients with transitioning and integrating them to community programs at DPV Health.

A new start for Rose I was born in Syria. I was referred to the DPV Health Homelessness Service after escaping family violence, with my younger brother. My brother has Downs Syndrome.

He has many medical appointments and is supported by the NDIS. All I wanted was a safe and stable roof over our heads andto live free from violence. My DPV Health case manager was a great advocate for my brother and me. In the middle of the COVID lockdown in May 2020, we were offered a two bedroom transitional property.

My DPV Health case manager helped us apply for a Family Violence Support Package.

Smoothing the way in early speech development Jack’s family brought him to the speech pathology team at DPV Health when he developed a stutter after his third birthday.

When we first met him for an assessment in February 2021, Jack had been stuttering for almost 12 months.

Jack’s speech pathologist recommended the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention. The therapist worked with Jack face-to-face at the clinic and via telehealth and modelled the therapy for his mother to apply at home. Jack is now in Lidcombe Stage 2. He’s speaking more fluently, and his parents say he’s much more confident when talking to other people. The speech pathology team will work closely with the family over the next 12 months to monitor Jack’s progress.

client stories We were given new furniture, sensory/ educational toys for my brother, and other things to help us make a home. My case manager and an immigration lawyer helped me travel to Iraq to visit my fiancé. During my visit, I fell pregnant.

On my return, I was referred to the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies program at DPV Health and given practical advice and support to manage my pregnancy. I spend my days looking after my baby and my young brother.

I’m excited about being a united and happy family when my fiancé comes to Australia and one day furthering my education.

Letizia embraces the future I grew up in a Latin American country.

Spanish was my first language, and I learnt English overseas. In my late twenties, I came to Australia, then bought my parents a house and supported them to migrate to Melbourne. My partner and I are trying to start a family using IVF. The process is stressful, but we are trying to stay positive as we prepare for pregnancy and parenting.

When I went on leave because workplace stress affected my mental health, my alcohol and other drugs counsellor suggested general counselling with DPV Health to help me with underlying issues related to past alcohol abuse.

I contacted the DPV Health counselling team in August 2020. I liked the psychologist straight away. I felt understood and more in charge of my life.

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COVID-19 booster shots, what you need to know

COVID Warriors, our mission to protect!

Booster doses are not mandatory; however, they are recommended to maintain immunity against COVID-19.

Being a community health provider, our Focus was ensuring the community felt safe and comfortable throughout the vaccine roll out. We have partnered with community leaders and council members to determine pop-up locations in the Hume and Whittlesea area based on community needs.

Two doses of COVID-19 vaccine provide very good protection, especially against severe disease. A booster dose will make sure the protection from the first dose is even stronger and longer lasting and should help prevent spread of the virus.

A booster dose increases your protection against: > infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 > severe disease > dying from COVID-19 A booster dose will continue to protect you, your loved ones, and your community against COVID-19. You are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose if: > you are 18 years and older, and > have had your second dose of your primary dose course of COVID-19 vaccination at least 6 months ago You can have the Pfizer vaccine as a booster dose regardless of which vaccine you had for your first 2 doses. You can book a booster dose if it has been 6 months or longer since your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine booster is now available at DPV Health.

DPV Health’s vaccination services

CLICK HERE to find out where to get your booster and for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Through out the COVID-19 vaccination roll out we have set up over 75 pop-up sites. Through earthquakes, hail, strong winds, and heavy rain, our amazing community have attended vaccination sites in massive numbers and answered our call to roll up their sleeves. This successful collaboration between community leaders, council members, Department of Health officials and our incredible work force allowed us to vaccinate over 75,000 people. Thank you for answering the call help keeping our community safe.

By Hosni Sabawi – Deputy Vaccination Lead at DPV Health

To help improve mental wellbeing, physical activity and social connection of 0–12 year old’s and their families in Hume, Hume Libraries and DPV Health want to hear from children and families, to find out what activities or programs can be run to improve health and wellbeing. The programs and activities will be run at Hume Library branches and other community venues from January to July 2022.

There are 4 ways to get involved: 1. Click here to complete the survey or visit Hume Healthy Kids | Participate Hume to complete the parent/carer survey and upload the child’s drawing 2. Click here to complete the survey online

3. Fill out the paper survey and drawing page (available to download here) and return to a Hume library.

4. Come along to our face-to-face workshops in December – Click here for more details. > Tuesday 14 December 10-11am Sunbury Library > Wednesday 15 December 11-12pm Broadmeadows Library > Thursday 16 December 11-12pm Craigieburn Library For bilingual families: The flyer to explain the project, drawing activity and printed survey are available in Arabic, Assyrian, Hindi and Turkish.

Watch in-language videos explaining the project and survey here.

From everyone at DPV Health, we would like to wish you and your family a healthy and happy holidays. We look forward to helping you achieve your health and wellness goals in 2022.

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