This year’s Christmas event was certainly something to laugh about. We were educated and entertained by Merv Neal who showed us the benefits of laughter yoga. Over 80 staff from our general practices came together at Oscars to unwind and celebrate the end of another busy year in general practice.

This night could not have been possible without the support of our 3 sponsors.

The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce were represented by Margaret Cousins (Regional Manager Western Region) and Megan Henley from the Apprenticeship & Traineeship division.

Margaret provided information on the Diploma of Management, which will be offered in Ballarat in 2010 and attracts significant government assistance for eligible participants and support for the Fair Work Act and Award Modernisation.

Margaret can be contacted on 03 5327 7190 or mcousins@vecci.org.au. Check out the range of services from VECCI on the web.

Ballarat Community Health were represented by Louise Feery (clinical team leader), Kristen Kelly  (Ballarat Primary Care project manager) and
Kerri Gordon (Early Intervention in Chronic Disease coordinator).

Ballarat Community Health have launched their latest service – Ballarat Primary Care – an extended access clinic. The services provided at Ballarat Primary Care include exercise physiology, dietetics, podiatry, psychology and speech pathology.

Ballarat Primary Care aims to offer:

• Improved access –more capacity to meet client demand
• Improved effectiveness – appropriate service in a timely manner
• Improved efficiency – streamlining waiting lists
• A new service area – speech pathology

Fees:

• Patients referred via an EPC plan referral will be bulk billed ($8 gap on initial consultations)
• DVA patients will be bulk billed
• Private clients – fees negotiated between BCH & private provider to ensure affordability and in line with professional bodies’ recommendations

Ballarat Primary Care is able to integrate its services with those offered by Ballarat Community Health, offering clients a comprehensive extended access clinic.

Also, Ballarat Community Health will launch their 2010 program planning calendar early in the new year, complete with the dates, times and commencements of all clinical groups.

Ballarat Community Health are promoting new service areas, including generalist counseling service, better health self-management and paediatrics. Specialised paediatric dietetic services at Ballarat Community Health will be introduced by Bianca Earle, a dietitian with post graduate qualifications in paediatrics.

Referral indicators include failure to thrive, fussy eating, constipation, obesity, allergy/food intolerance and nutritional deficiencies.

Fernwood Women’s Health Club was represented by Lee Squire and Deb Ragatz.

Fernwood have sponsored our Practice Team Christmas Event for two years in a row, and they generously offered all attendees a FREE two week pass at the newly renovated Fernwood Ballarat, which now boasts;

• Three levels
• Child minding
• Pilates & yoga
• Motivating group fitness classes
• Endermologie cellulite treatments
• Private personal training studio
• Slimplicity; the nationally accredited weight management program – a lifestyle change for lifetime results, not a quick fix diet
• Brand new cardio equipment with individual TV screens
• New bathrooms, complementary toiletries, complementary breakfast
• Massages chair for a de-stress and a bit of ‘you’ time

A safe and happy festive season to everyone!

Please note that the division will be closed from 12:30 PM on December 24th and reopen on January 4th 2010.

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