Autumn 2024 Community Newsletter

PEDRO VANDDIEGO ISITIRVIN HOUSE

INTRODUCING

NCN HEALTH CARE FINDER PROGRAM

The Care Finder Program supports vulnerable older people who would not be able to arrange services without intensive support and do not have a family member or friends who can help.

Who can receive assistance from a Care Finder?

Care Finders are not for everyone. They specifically help older community members who need intensive assistance to access aged care and other supports

To receive care finder support, a person must:

• have no carer or support person who can help them, or

• not have a carer or support person they feel comfortable or trust to support them, and

• be eligible for government-funded aged care

They may:

• have difficulty communicating because of language or literacy problems

• find it difficult to understand information and make decisions

• be reluctant to engage with aged care or government

• be in an unsafe situation if they do not receive services.

What help can Care Finders provide?

Care Finders can help people understand what aged care services are available, set up an assessment and find and choose services.

Talking to My Aged Care on their behalf and arranging an assessment

Attending and providing support at, during and after the assessment

Solving other challenges and connecting to supports in the community, such as health, mental health, housing and homelessness, drug and alcohol services and community groups

Care Finder is a Free Service

For More Information Contact Marie Doyle

0436 657 474 Marie.Doyle@ncnhealth.org.au ncnhealth.org.au

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

EDUCATION, SUPPORT AND EXERCISE

TUESDAYS AT NCN HEALTH NUMURKAH

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

COBRAM CAMPUS URGENT CARE

It has been great to see a lot of interest in the community around the Cobram Campus Urgent Care Centre refurbishment. Stage one of the project will be finalised this month, after some delays with the installation of specialised internal structures and equipment.

The new Urgent Care Centre is set to be operational from March 26 giving staff a few days prior to the Easter long weekend and school holiday period to settle in to the new facility. The Redevelopment includes updated urgent care facilities, increased floor space and improved staff and community safety with a separate entry into urgent care, new ambulance bay and two waiting areas. I’d like to acknowledge our Cobram staff for your patience and hard work during stage one of this refurbishment and working together to continue to provide a great quality of care in urgent care and acute ward

You can find the latest photos of the UCC on page 10 of this newsletter.

STAGE TWO

Stage two of the redevelopment will begin in April

and will impact access to the acute ward for staff and visitors.

Stage two will see the demolition of the old ambulance entrance, refurbishment of the old urgent care to create a new ultrasound room, office and accessible toilets, remodelling of the old acute reception and staff rooms, upgrade of a patient ensuite and the installation of a new fire wall Significant disruption to normal staff and visitor access will occur during this stage. Detours will be in place to assist with the flow of visitor and staff foot traffic within the health service. This part of the project is expected to take 4 to 6 months.

More detail around stage two will be made available on our website and social media pages in the coming weeks. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to get in contact.

Ncnhealth@ncnhealth org a u

NUMURKAH PIONEERS MEMORIAL LODGE

Planning for the new Lodge at Numurkah Campus is well underway with a number of meetings taking place with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) this year.

Due to the scope and funding of the project, the VHBA manage the build, working in partnership with NCN Health

Detailed planning will continue throughout 2024 and include consultation with staff and consumers to ensure that the design provides the best outcomes in regards to resident experience and staff working conditions.

NCN HEALTH CEO

Finally, recruitment of a permanent CEO for NCN Health continues, applications for the CEO role closed in early February and the NCN Health Board of Directors are facilitating the recruitment process. We believe the board will be in a position to announce the new CEO within a few weeks time. We look forward to sharing this news to the community via our website, social media and local papers.

Have a great Autumn,

Justin Sullivan Interim CEO

Move Moira - Get Active in April is a collaboration between Moira Shire Council, NCN Health and Yarrawonga Health. The aim of Move Moira is to get as many locals out and active throughout the month of April.

Expressions of Interest have now closed to host an event, but shortly you will be able to find a full calendar of events on the Move Moira website www.moira.vic.gov.au/Community/Move-Moira

NCN Health are hosting three fun filled community events across Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah. All events hosted by NCN Health are FREE for all the community to attend.

At the community events NCN Health will have activities run by SkillZone Sports, Valley Sport, Al’s Skate Barn, SKD Martial Arts, Primary Care Connect and many more.

NCN Health events across the regions are not possible without our local business and community groups getting behind the initiative.

Join us for three fun filled days on April 3 at Numurkah, April 11 at Nathalia and April 12 at Cobram. Event information can be found on the NCN Health Website, Facebook and Instagram pages.

Join us for a fun filled day of activities, connect with local groups and clubs, and enjoy the benefits of being active.

EVENT:

VENUE:

Community Activities at the Rec Reserve - FREE for all Nathalia Football Ground/Rec Reserve

DATE: TIME:

Friday April 11 10am - 12pm Hot Shot

COME AND TRY:

Join us for a fun filled day of activities, connect with local groups and clubs, and enjoy the benefits of being active.

EVENT:

VENUE:

DATE:

Free Community Activities to get you moving.

Federation Park Cobram

Friday April 12

TIME:

10am - 12pm

COME AND TRY:

Hot Shot Tennis and Games | Skillzone Socc

Smoothie Bike |

Martial Arts Demo | Giant Lawn Games |

Freedom Frame | Art Workshop | Maternal Child Health |

Primary Care Connect

Join us for a fun filled day of activities, connect with local groups and clubs, and enjoy the benefits of being active.

EVENT:

VENUE:

DATE: TIME:

COME AND TRY:

Cobram Urgent Care Centre Update

Construction on the Cobram Campus Urgent Care Centre will be finalised this month, after some delays with the installation of specialised internal structures and equipment. The new UCC is set to be operational from March 26 giving staff a few days prior to the Easter long weekend and school holiday period to settle in to the new facility.

Community Bus Hits The Road

The NCN Health Community Bus has arrived and is a hit with residents, staff and volunteers. The 11-seater all-abilities access bus accommodates wheelchair access, offers handrails and a modified step entry. It will be used by residents of Numurkah Pioneer Memorial Lodge and Karinya Nursing Home to participate in community activities and events. The bus will also be made available for community groups in Numurkah who support isolated and aged people.

The new wheels are thanks to Rotary Club of Numurkah who led the fundraiser in partnership with Bendigo Bank and NCN Health. The project was first launched in February 2022 and thanks to the incredible community support enough money was raised to purchase two vehicles by the end of 2022.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19 there were significant delays in production and NCN Health are still awaiting receipt and fit out of the second bus. Rotary Club of Numurkah President Julie Andrew thanked the community for their support.

“We are grateful for the generosity of our community as organisations and individuals have pulled together responding by donating to the appeal. “We are working with NCN Health to have stickers made for the exterior of the bus to acknowledge the major sponsors. We are also planning on a launch event in Numurkah in the coming months to thank all our sponsors and broader community. Thank you to everyone for your hard work getting the bus on the road.”

The volunteers have been busy over the summer! We have had some new faces around campuses and favourite volunteers getting out and about with residents and helping staff in the Aged Care facilities.

We were lucky enough over the summer to have six students volunteer their time during the school holidays. All of the NCN Health staff and residents enjoyed having the younger volunteers around to share stories with and play games.

If volunteering is something you are interested in, have a watch of Raelene, Lyn and Sean‘s volunteers stories and get in contact with Jacquie Hughes - NCN Health Volunteer Co-Ordinator via emailvolunteers@ncnhealth.org.au

@ NCN Health @ NCN Health Work Work

With many opportunities at NCN Health across a range of clinical and non clinical roles, there has never been a better time to join the health service.

Quality Administration Support Officer

The Quality Administration Support Officer will provide high level administration support to the Quality team with processing information, project support, accreditation and promote quality improvement and safety activities within the health service. Previous experience in Quality is not essential.

Allied Health and Wellbeing Facilitator

The position will support the implementation of individual and group exercise and/or therapy programs under the guidance of our experienced Allied Health Practitioners, and will be responsible for implementing and supporting a broad range of exercisebased activities to promote client health and wellbeing. They will provide support in maintaining equipment and resources and other administrative functions to contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of services provided.

Registered Nurse

NCN Health have multiple opportunities for Registered Nurses to join our team in Cobram. We have a number of roles available to suit flexibility for the potential applicant The Registered Nurse will be able to assess and prioritise client needs in the context of the wards workload to deliver positive outcomes for each and every client of the service. Must be a self-motivated individual who is able to work independently and with initiative

Dr Alwin Sun

Dr Alice Gubbins

Service Profile - Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists help people of all ages to better manage day to day activities. People may need help due to ageing, disability, injury or illness. Services can be provided onsite, at home or in a community setting.

Our Occupational Therapists can help with:

Ways to do everyday tasks on your own and become more independent

Prescribing equipment – including wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters and other aids

Management of hand injuries such as fractures, and arthritis (Hand Therapy)

Home assessment and advice regarding home modifications you may need to make life easier

Assessments and advice

Occupational Therapy is available across Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah Communities and is usually provided in the home or care facility You may also see our Occupational Therapist at a Community Health centre within NCN Health.

If you want to learn more, or think Occupational Therapy could help you contact our Access and Intake Team on 03 5871 0944 or ncnintake@ncnhealth.org.au

Jo is one of our dedicated District Nurses here at NCN Health. We recently had a chat with Jo and learnt what she loves about her role.

I’ve been a district nurse since 2001 and Team Leader of Cobram DNS since 2005. l’ve lived locally for many years therefore I know many of the families and clients I speak to and have visited which is lovely.

I’ve always had a clinical role in the community visiting clients in their homes. I now have an Assistant Supervisor role whereby I’m office based and share that responsibility with Deb Barnes in Nathalia.

My day includes speaking on the phone to clients, families and health service providers coordinating referrals across NCH Health for district nursing, answering calls from clients and families coordinating care that is required, trouble shooting and responding to enquiries and any issues the clients, families, friends or service providers may have.

I also coordinate daily client lists for the district nursing teams, provide rostering and support to staff across NCN DNS. I also support the graduate nursing program at NCN Health and student nurses that have placement at district nursing.

Our aim is to respond to any concerns, queries or referrals in a timely and respectful manner and I find I’m loving my new role. I look forward to hearing from our clients and families.

FREEGROUPSESSIONSFORPARENTS-NUTRITIONANDPLAY

TheINFANTprogram(InfantFeeding,ActiveplayandNuTrition) isdesignedtohelpparentsandfamilieswithhealthyeatingand activeplayfromthestartoftheirbaby’slife.

INFANTconsistsoffourgroupsessionsfor parents/caregiversledbyanurseorhealth professional.Eachsessionisbasedonbabies needsaroundtheagesof3,6,9and12 months.

INFANTpromoteshealthyeating, increasedactiveplayandreduced screentimeforbabiesfrombirth until2yearsofage.

Parentshavecomeawayfrom sessionsfeelingmoreconfident knowingwhatbabyneedsateach stage,andthey'vemadenew friendswithotherparentsand babies.

SessionsareheldacrossCobram, NumurkahandYarrawonga.

Tofindoutmoreorbookin,scan theQRcodeorcontact mch@moira.vic.gov.au

Yarn Up’s are back for 2024 at the NCN Health Cobram campus. You can join us and Many Mobs Indigenous Coorporation on the 3rd Monday of each month.

We welcomed our newest resident a couple of weeks ago! A cute Koala made it’s way onto campus and found a tree to hide out in before moving on.

Diego and Pedro have been doing the rounds and visiting residents in our residential aged care facilities. We love it when Diego and Pedro come and pay us a visit!

Australia Day celebrations were in full swing across all of our residential age staff and residents. Pict .

Karinya had bright and busy February!

Residents experimented with bubble paint and enjoyed a visit from the Shepparton dog obedience club. Our PAG members were also able to join in and everyone had a fabulous time.

A new piano was donated last month and our kitchen staff made a quilt for the back of piano which is beautiful.

We also had some gorgeous flowers donated by family member who has a local flower business. We used these to create some magnificent flower arrangements!

Consumer Committee

Applications for the NCN Health Cobram and Numurkah campus Consumer Committees are open. We are seeking young community members who:

Have a genuine interest in or would like to learn more about local health care and community wellbeing

Would like to contribute to the continued growth and improvement of our health and community services and residential aged care.

Are able to meet bi monthly.

The role of the consumer committee member includes reviewing booklets and brochures, providing a community perspective on service delivery, providing feedback as required and more. Previous experience in health care roles is not necessary.

All consumer committee positions are voluntary.

To submit your interest:

ncncommunications@ncnhealth.org.au

Consumer Story

Neville has been a resident at Irvin House, Cobram for 12 months. Lois and Neville have been married for 64 years working on farms around Australia and settled in Yarroweyah 31 years ago, where they had a farm and raised 4 children.

Unfortunately, Neville’s health meant they had to stop farming and look at care options for Neville as Lois was unable to manage being his full-time carer on her own. Neville’s medical care had him in hospital in Melbourne, while there Lois was living with one of their sons and visiting Neville daily.

When it was clear that Neville wasn’t going to be able to come home, he was transferred to NCN Health Cobram with the hopes that he would be able to get a residential place within Irvin House. Lois, Neville and their sons had many discussions and meetings with aged care providers to find the best fit for Neville. Lois and Neville both expressed that when touring Irvin House for the first time they just knew it was the right fit for Neville. He was immediately at ease in the facility and the staff – especially Tanya, made him comfortable and was just like an old friend from day one.

Neville still gets to experience a good quality of life, and is always able to join in activities if they suit him. He regularly enjoys playing Bingo and card games. Lois is able to visit whenever she can, and Neville is able to stay in touch with Lois whenever he needs. Luckily Lois has been able to move into a new house close to Irvin House which has made the transition easier on them.

They are very much still in love and not living together has been hard. However, they are thankful for the staff at Irvin House as the ease that Neville feels there has made the transition to residential aged care a lot easier.

Reflections and Recommendations

Residential Aged Care Staff play a vital role in ensuring consumers feel comfortable and empowered to decide on the best aged care facility to suit their care, social and emotional needs.

Encouraging a strong connection with residents and their family, friends and social circle is important for ongoing sense of security, success and happiness within aged care.

HowdoIgetcovered?

Coveriseasyandaffordable.Contact

Areyoucovered?

Ifyoudonothave AmbulanceCoveryou couldbeexpectedto paythousandsof dollarsintheevent youneedtransportby Ambulance. Exceptionsmayapply forpensioncard holdersandsome PrivateHealthpolicies.

ScantheQRCodetosignuptoday,oraskforan AmbulanceVictoriaMembershipformfrom reception.

Card and Games day will be held on March 14 from 11am at the Barooga Bowls Club on Snell Road, Barooga.

Come along for an afternoon of games, delicious lunch, raffles, door prize and trading tables. All proceeds from the event go towards resources and equipment for NCN Health Cobram.

Tickets are $25 each and include lunch. For more information or to book your spot, contact Val Linquist on 0490 531 784.

LIFT THE LID WALK

The Rotary Club of Numurkah is hosting Lift The Lid 5km walk for mental health research and awareness

Family friendly event, BBQ lunch health information and guest speaker.

Dogs on leads welcome!

March -

8/3 International

14/3 Card and Games Day

19/3 Yarn Up @ Cobram

20/3

20/3 World Oral Health Day

3/4 Get Active in April - Numurkah Skate Park

11/4 Get Active in April - Nathalia Rec Reserve

12/4 Get Active in April - Cobram Federation Park

15/4 Yarn Up @ Cobram

19/5 Lift The Lid - Numurkah Showgrounds

20/5 Yarn Up @ Cobram