COUNSELLING ATNCNHEALTH
NCN Health offers FREE counselling service for residents in the Moira Shire.
NCN Health counsellors offer counselling in the following areas:
Making changes in your life
Life changes - major milestones, work changes, relationship changes.
Grief and Loss
Resolving past trauma or conflict Counselling is available at the NCN Health Nathalia Campus. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - 9am - 3pm.
(03) 5862 0560
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Hello and welcome to the Autumn Edition of the Community News.
HEALTH SERVICES PLAN
As you would know the Victorian Government released the Health Services Plan (The Plan) in August last year. The Plan is aimed at reforming Victoria’s health services system and provides recommendations for a more connected system that delivers enhanced care for Victorians.
A key area of reform under The Plan is establishing Local Health Networks. There will be 12 Local Health Networks across the state that will come into effect from July 1st, 2025 NCN Health being part of the Hume Health Network
The Hume Health Network includes:
Albury Wodonga Health, Alpine Health, Beechworth Health Service, Benalla Health, Corryong Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Kyabram District Health Service, Mansfield District Hospital, NCN Health, Northeast Health Wangaratta, Tallangatta Health Service, Yarrawonga Health.
The Health Networks are grouped together by geographic regions and will see a greater focus on working in partnership. The Networks officially begin operations on July 1, 2025
It is important to note, within the Hume Local Health Network, there will be no changes to the governance of NCN Health
For more information on the 12 Local Health Networks in Victoria https://www health vic gov au/l ocal-health-service-networks
COBRAM URGENT CARE REDEVELOPMENT COMPLETE
The final stages of the Cobram Campus redevelopment began in March with the renovation of main reception and some additional updated office spaces adjacent to main reception. A new ultrasound room is nearly complete and some electrical and telecommunication work continues until the end of April.
External rectification work was done on some of the concrete at the front of the building to ensure ramps meet specification and are safe and accessible for patients and visitors. Landscaping has also been completed externally and we are working on more signage to improve access for our community and enhance visibility from the road. This has been an incredibly exciting and timely upgrade that includes a new urgent care centre, separate ambulance bay and entry, upgraded acute rooms, additional office space and improved safety and efficiency. The project is thanks to the Victorian Government Regional Health Infrastructure Fund
We sincerely wish to thank the community for your patience and support throughout this project.
NUMURKAH PIONEERS MEMORIAL LODGE DEVELOPMENT
I am excited to confirm that the development of the new Pioneers Memorial Lodge is in the detailed design phase
NCN Health is working with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) who are leading the development and our staff and consumers to inform this design. A full report is available in the newsletter, including photos from a recent trip to Melbourne to review the floor plan design in 3D
NCN HEALTH STRATEGIC PLAN
The NCN Health Strategic Plan is due to be refreshed by the end of 2025 We are approaching the strategic plan with a view to ensuring the language used in the plan is accessible to our community, such that they feel like they understand and can engage with the key priorities.
Cobram Campus Redevelopment in
Cobram Campus Redevelopment
Numurkah Pioneer Memorial Lodge Development
The Numurkah Pionneer Memorial Lodge development is now in a detailed design phase.
Given the size and scope of the project the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) who are an arm of the Department of Health are leading this project. As project lead, they have now finalised negotiations around land acquisition. The detailed design phase will include significant contribution from an Advisory Group which includes clinical and non clinical staff and consumer representatives. The detailed design must also consider the recommendations from the National Aged Care Design Principals and Guidelines which were created as a result of the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
Recently, the Advisory Group headed to ‘Big Plans Melbourne’ to attend a virtual walk through of the current floor plan of the design. This exciting technology allowed the Advisory Group to experience the plans in 3D and provide feedback on work flow and the space in general. This feedback will inform the final plans.
Further consultation has also taken place with current Lodge Residents around interior design and, in the coming months, consumers and Allied Health staff will head to Melbourne again to review furniture for the new facility.
Once finalized, the plans will go to tender for a builder to be appointed and contruction of the new facility will begin in 2026.
NCN Health will soon have a 3D image of the front of the building complete with landscaping to share with the community.
@ 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.
Nurse Unit Manager - Theatre Numurkah
NCN Health Clinical Services team have an exciting opportunity for a Nurse Unit Manager to lead their Theatre team at the Numurkah campus. The Nurse Unit Manager is responsible for the effective leadership, management and operations of perioperative services. The position will form part of the management team of NCN Health and is accountable for ensuring perioperative services model of care aligns with the strategic goals of the organisation
Enrolled Nurse
NCN Health have an exciting opportunity for an Enrolled Nurse to join our team in Pioneers Lodge at Numurkah To promote independence of Residents whilst assessing, planning, implementing and re-evaluating the care provided according to accepted nursing practice and standards under the direction of ANUM / Registered Nurse.
Registered Nurse
NCN Health have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Registered Nurse to join our team in Theatre at Numurkah The Registered Nurse will be able to provide clinical excellence in Theatre, which includes all clinicals areas in perioperative (Anaesthetics, Operating Theatre, Recovery and CSSD) and Day Procedure Unit The registered nurse will assess and prioritise client needs in the context of the unit workload to deliver positive outcomes for each and every client of the service. As such it is anticipated that the Registered Nurse is a self-motivated individual who is able to function independently when the situation requires it
ULTRASOUND & X-RAY OPENING HOURS
NCN Health has Ultrasound and X-Ray services available at Cobram and Numurkah campuses
Numurkah
ULTRASOUND X-RAY
Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm 8:30am - 4:00pm 8:30am - 4:00pm 8:30am - 1:30pm
Cobram
ULTRASOUND X-RAY
Thursday 9:30am - 2:30pm Monday
Wednesday Friday 9:30am - 3:00pm 9:30am - 3:00pm 9:00am - 3:30pm 9:30am - 3:00pm
Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
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.
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. What
Dietetics Students @ NCN
We are lucky to be able to host students throughout the year who are in the process of finishing their studies.
We currently have a new crop of Dietetics Students with us at NCN Health who will be working with our Community Health teams across the region
Our current students will be rolling out an 8 week program and growing the Healthy Habits Project which focuses on children and families in the community You will also see them out and about during Active April helping with our Community Fun Days across Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah
NCN Health Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah hosted three fun filled days of activities, connection with local groups and clubs and outdoor activities as part of Active April.
Parkinsons Group
The NCN Health Parkinsons Peer Support Group recently gathered to hear from Dr Kelly Bertram, to learn more about clinical trials available for movement disorders, how to access them and the potential benefits for patients. It was an incredibly interesting afternoon, thanks to all those who supported the event. The Parkinson’s Peer Support Group meet monthly in Cobram and Nathalia. There are a number of spaces available currently in Nathalia and new members are always welcome from across the region.
This is a non clinical get together to connect community members with similar lived experience, share afternoon tea and join in with an activity or education session.
Numurkah Open Day
NCN Health Numurkah hosted an Open Day on Friday March 7 as part of the Numurkah Historical Society’s 150 anniversary celebrations of Numurkah and Wunghnu happening throughout 2025. The event was an opportunity to unveil a memorial wall, updated signage to mark “Coombs Memorial Drive” and to acknowledge 10 years since the reopening of the acute, urgent care and community health services following the floods of 2012 th
A stunning feature of the wall is a Memorial Wall Timber sign which was generously donated to NCN Health NCN Health would like to thank, Nathalia residents Joan and Vic Dohnt for supply of the locally sourced Murray Pine board and Toni and Kevin Styles, who prepared the routing of letters into the timber board Thanks also to Nathalia Men’s Shed who provided their thicknesser and sliding table saw free of charge and Di and Roland Huber from Nathalia Printers who coordinated the project, including preparation of the artwork, painting of the sign and delivery
The Open Day was a great day out with NCN Health CEO Dr Mark Ashcroft welcoming the crowd and reflecting on the community connection to the hospital and the importance of acknowledging the foundations of local health.
“We are proud to host this event today as part of Numurkah and Wunghnu 150 anniversary celebrations happening throughout 2025 and would like to extend our thanks to the Numurkah Historical Society for inviting us to participate The Health Service at Numurkah has a rich history, a strong connection to the community and has continued to evolve throughout the years, facing many changes and challenges. “ th
He said during the times of “growth and expansion” a number of dedicated bronzed plaques and donor boards were placed into storage
“The 150 Celebrations offered an excellent opportunity to undertake a small but significant project to have these on display as a Memorial Wall, central to our services for all to see. Together with the Memorial Wall, we have also recreated signage to mark Coombs Memorial Drive, which is located on the Numurkah Katamatite Road in front of the health service Coombs Memorial Drive was named for Dr Francis Syndal Coombs This signage will be put in place in the coming weeks.”
Attendees enjoyed a trip down memory lane with photos and artifacts from the 1950s onwards on display and joined together for a BBQ lunch followed by cake.
Numurkah Theatre Upgrades
From mid-May, upgrade works will begin on the operating theatre at NCN Health Numurkah, supporting the ongoing delivery of high quality, safe, patient centred care for our community The upgrades will ensure the theatre meets contemporary requirements for operations. The redevelopment project has been funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Regional Health Infrastructure Fund 2023/24 round
NCN Health has worked hard to ensure there is minimal impact on service delivery whilst these necessary upgrades are carried out
While some services will continue to operate as normal during this time, planning is underway to minimise disruption to patients, including rescheduling a very small number of procedures.
NCN Health has been working closely with our visiting medical staff to arrange additional theatre sessions over the building upgrade period to minimise the impact particularly on endoscopy procedures for the community
The wellbeing of our community and staff remains our highest priority and we will continue to update the community as these works continue.
Anyone impacted by these upgrades will be contacted directly, however, for those seeking further information about their upcoming surgeries or if they have been impacted and need to discuss further, please contact NCN Health or your treating doctor directly.
E ncnhealth@ncnhealth.org.au P: 03 5860 0555
DIETETICS SERVICE
Our Dietitians provide advice to help you learn how to manage your dietary, nutrition and health needs. We work closely with you to help you make decisions about what to eat to maintain good health, recover from illness or manage specific health conditions.
OUR SERVICES
Food Intolerance and Allergies
Diabetes
Weight Management
Hypertension
Disease Management
Healthy Ageing
Lifestyle Management
IBS
Eating Disorders Childhood Nutrition
To access the Dietetics service at NCN Health you can call the Access and Intake team who will book your appointment for you.
ACCESS AND INTAKE
MOIRA PALLIATIVE CARE OUTPATIENT CLINIC
The Moira Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic is a public outpatient clinic for palliative patients with complex needs. The clinic is available, via referral, for GPs and the Moira Community Palliative Care team who feel their patients have complex medical or palliative care needs, difficult or unstable symptoms, or may benefit from additional medical support. The Moira Palliative Care Service will continue to provide community based palliative care support in partnership with the patients treating General Practitioner where appropriate.
Clinic Days: Thursday mornings by appointment
Where: Yarrawonga Health - Community Services Hub 33 Piper Street, Yarrawonga
Shannon is a Rural Generalist with special interest in Palliative Care. He began his medical career at Deakin University in Geelong before progressing to Northeast Victoria for post graduate positions at Northeast Health Wangaratta, Yarrawonga Medical Clinic and Albury Wodonga Health He's worked in many roles including as a Palliative Care Registrar at Albury Wodonga Health and East Hume Regional Palliative Care Consultancy More recently he has provided support for Moira Palliative Care Service, in a consultation liaison role His main clinical role is as a GP at Yarrawonga Medical Clinic Prior to his medical career he was a helicopter pilot in the Royal Australian Navy
ncnmoirapalliativecare@ncnhealth.org.au
ncnhealth.org.au
Understanding and responding to babies feeding cues/signs
When and how to introduce solid foods and sippy cups
Progressing through food textures - from Puree to Lumps to family food
Dealing with gagging and choking
Active play you can do together
Exploring healthy body image
Strategies for limiting screen time
Lots of practical tips and ideas IDEAL FOR FAMILIES WITH BABIES 5-10 MONTHS ALL WELCOME. FREE TO ATTEND.
Join NCN Health, Yarrawonga Health and Maternal Child Health Moira Shire as we explore baby stages. With a focus on: moira.vic.gov.au
BOOKINGS PREFERRED - DETAILS BELOW.
(03) 5871 9275
Clinic @ Numurkah
The Meryula Clinic is a free and confidential service run by GV Health and supported by NCN Health. The clinic is for all individuals within the region and is run by experienced nurses who specialise in sexual and reproductive health.
Numurkah Community Health & Wellbeing
July 26
August 23
September 27
October 25
November 22
January 24
Bookings
Testing & Treatment for infections that can be spread through sexual contact.
Contraception, including Implanon insertion
Emergency Contraception
Pregnancy Testing
Unplanned pregnancy counselling, treatment and referral
Cervical Screening Tests
Genital pain and discomfort
Sex work certificates
Screening, counselling & referral for viruses in the blood
Hepatitis C treatment
Hepatitis B treatment and management
HIV PrEP and nPEP
Immunisation
Contact Tracing
Referral to specialist services
Consumer Story
She said another added benefit was she felt she could talk to the staff and the Nurse Unit Manager about any concerns.
“Raj (Nurse Unit Manager) is very easy to talk to and that is important.”
Gwen says her previous neighbour from Gwandalan Court is so impressed with how well Gwen is doing, she is planning on putting her name down for the new Lodge once it’s built.
This positive consumer story is a good example of continuity of care between Gwandalan Court Retirement Village, the hospital and residential aged care. It also highlights the positive impact of community members being able to age comfortably in place with family and friends close by and the support of the integrated health service enhancing comfort and quality of living.
Do you have a story you’d like to share about your experience at NCN Health? Your story can be a positive experience or include opportunities to improve our service delivery, Some examples you might wish to share are; Community Health services, district nurses, our GP Clinics in Nathalia and Numurkah, being admitted to the acute ward and more.
You can remain anonymous if you prefer when sharing your story. For more information on how to share you experience with us, contact ncncommunications@ncnhealth.org.au
Ambulance Cover
Didyouknowthat Ambulancetravelisnot freefromUrgentCare CentresandMedical Clinics.Thistravelisat yourowncost.
Illness/Accident
Canhappenatany time.Thisiswhyitis vitalyoulookat separateAmbulance Cover
Ifyoudonothave AmbulanceCoveryou couldbeexpectedto paythousandsof dollarsintheevent youneedtransportby Ambulance. Exceptionsmayapply forpensioncard holdersandsome PrivateHealthpolicies.
LIFT THE LID WALK 2025
Join The Rotary Club of Numurkah for the second annual Lift The Lid 5km walk for mental health