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MEDIA RELEASE
cohealth shares Melbourne’s community health
story with international delegation
Wednesday 22 April, 2015
A delegation of eight Canadian and US community health leaders have met with Victoria’s largest
community health service, cohealth, to learn about innovative practices in community health care.
The US/Canadian study tour delegation was led by the Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) in
partnership with Community Health Australia in an effort to strengthen international links between the
three nations and share best practice experiences in community health.
VHA Acting CEO Tom Symondson said the recently merged cohealth offered the experience of
operating over 40 centres working with some of Melbourne’s most disadvantaged populations.
“There are some wonderful examples of Victorian community health services like cohealth looking at
the big picture in their neighbourhoods and developing innovative services and programs for tackling
local health challenges,” Mr Symondson said.
“This study tour is about striving for excellence by building and sharing a knowledge base on best
practice in community health which can be adopted in communities worldwide.”
cohealth Acting Chief Executive Nicole Bartholomeusz said the opportunity for community health
services from three countries to sit down together was invaluable.
“Delivering healthcare in an environment of increasing complexity in a challenging fiscal environment
is a constant learning process and we appreciate the opportunity to engage with community health
professionals from across the globe”, Ms Bartholomeusz said.
cohealth made presentations in:
 The central role consumers play in cohealth’s governance and development of services and
programs.
 The multi-disciplinary approach it takes to harm reduction for people using injectable drugs
including primary and secondary care, outreach services, peer networking, dispensing machines,
opioid replacement therapy, testing for Hepatitis C, health promotion and counselling.
 Successes in pain management and health care outcomes for refugee and asylum seeker patients
by addressing both their mental health and health issues in an integrated, inter-professional way.
 Two trials demonstrating the benefit of longer consultations, partnerships with local services and
Medicare rebates for people with complex and chronic health issues like diabetes as well as
alcohol and other drug-related issues.
“It has been rewarding to have our health services recognised and be able to share those practices
with our international colleagues,” Ms Bartholomeusz said.
cohealth has locations in Melbourne’s western, northern and inner suburbs including Collingwood,
Fitzroy, Melbourne CBD, Flemington, Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, Footscray, Braybrook, Werribee and
Melton.
The study tour includes visits to six Victorian community health services, and two New South Wales
facilities.
Victorian Healthcare Association Ltd / ABN 54 004 228 111
Level 6, 136 Exhibition Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 T / 03 9094 7777 F / 03 9094 7788 E / vha@vha.org.au
vha.org.au
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MEDIA RELEASE
Rachel White – 0438 815 561
Senior Media Adviser
rachel.white@vha.org.au
Jeremy Miller – 0475 827 158
Senior Manager – Communications, cohealth
jeremy.miller@cohealth
About the Victorian Healthcare Association
Established in 1938, the Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) is an independent, not-for-profit peak
body representing Victoria’s public and community health services. We advocate and develop policy to
support public hospitals and healthcare services in the delivery of high-quality care in Victoria.
Our members include public hospitals, rural and regional health services, aged care facilities,
community health services and Medicare Locals.
About coheath
cohealth is a leading provider of community health services across Melbourne’s western, northern and
inner suburbs. We provide medical, dental, allied health, mental health and specialist health services,
and are engaged in the community to improve the health and connectedness of some of Melbourne’s
most vulnerable populations including refugee, homeless, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders,
women experiencing violence and people with a mental illness.
Victorian Healthcare Association Ltd / ABN 54 004 228 111
Level 6, 136 Exhibition Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 T / 03 9094 7777 F / 03 9094 7788 E / vha@vha.org.au
vha.org.au
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