General News
31 December, 2023
Chronic risk challenges for region, IDHS staff recognised
SERVICES to help manage chronic conditions had been expanded by Inglewood and Districts Health service, yesterday’s annual general meeting was told. Chief executive officer Dallas Coghill said there had been significant investment in community...
SERVICES to help manage chronic conditions had been expanded by Inglewood and Districts Health service, yesterday’s annual general meeting was told.
Chief executive officer Dallas Coghill said there had been significant investment in community service programs.
“The Loddon Shire experiences some of the state’s highest levels of chronic disease including heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes,” he said.
“Our catchment has unique demographic features and challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes.
“We have an ageing population that has a higher than the state average rate of disadvantage, We also have higher rates of risk taking behaviour through substance use and higher than state average smoking rates.”
He said expansion of community programs helped meet significant barriers faced in achieving the strategic objective of delivering better care.
Mr Coghill described them as a “significant investment in preventative health” for the current and future needs of the community.
Expanded services for the year has seen longer allied health clinical hours with an increase in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, diabetes education, mental health and chronic disease management through cardiopulmonary education programs.
“Our bed based services comprising of 35 aged care beds have continued to maintain high occupancy levels of 93 per cent,” he said.
“Inglewood and Districts Health Service also offers a vibrant, comprehensive transitional care program through both its acute and community services.
“We achieved combined occupancy levels of 110 per cent throughout the year with allied health support for community transitional care,” he said,
The report by Mr Coghill and board chair Robert Chamberlain, earlier last month tabled in State Parliament, said the service had been successful in the delivery of major building projects including:
Commencement of the student accommodation and allied health precinct;
Commencement of the aged care outdoor environment project;
Planning for redevelopment of acute services;
Completion of LED light replacement; and
Further solar panel installation.
“Inglewood and Districts Health Service is committed to being a responsible steward of public funds,” they said.
“We ensure we are efficient and productive with our funding to deliver care within our means. Our goal is to remain sustainable in our current environment through looking for opportunities for growth in service delivery, while ensuring we are fiscally responsible.”
Mr Coghill and Mr Chamberlain acknowledged the service of Ian Marshall during his six years as a member of the board until June this year.
Yesterday’s annual meeting was also told the service had reintroduced student placements through partnerships with RMIT and Bendigo TAFE for enrolled nursing placements, and La Trobe University for ambulance and allied health placements. IDHS has also partnered with Loddon schools this year to provide structured work experience.