Category: Uncategorized

Merri Health Carer Services & OutDoors Inc. partnered to deliver the ‘Create & Connect through Nature’ program.

In late November, a group of carers from Melbourne’s Western suburbs came together to “Create and Connect through Nature” – a day program aimed to emerge carers in nature whilst building connections with others.

The group headed to Organ Pipes National Park in Keilor North to begin the first component of the day; the Wilderness Studio. Facilitated by OutDoors Inc. staff, the group situated themselves at picnic tables within the National Park and spent time creating watercolour artworks, using the park surroundings as inspiration. Carers devoted the hour to practising mindfulness and creating stunning watercolour paintings.

After a delicious lunch, the group embarked on a walk to explore Organ Pipes National Park, absorbing the sights and sounds of their surroundings while delving into the history of the rock formations. The highlight of the excursion was the Organ Pipes, a rock formation which resembles the interior of a pipe organ instrument.

At the conclusion of the day, carers were left feeling refreshed and satisfied with their outdoors experience.

“A lovely relaxing day. Just what I needed,” shared one carer. “I felt supported throughout the program. Highly appreciated.”

Merri Health’s goal is to create a better future for our community – one that is free of violence and is gender equitable, safe and respectful.

To help create a future where all families are safe, equal and respected we took part in the Walk Against Family Violence on Friday 24 November. The walk is organised as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which a global campaign led annually by UN Women.

Jillian Dent, Merri Health Acting General Manager, Family and Community, said: “It was fabulous to see Spring Street turn orange again this year, and so uplifting to stand side-by-side with others who want to see an end to gender-based violence.”

Merri Health stands in solidarity with victim-survivors. By taking part in the walk, we joined communities all around the world calling for the elimination of family violence and violence against women.

We advocate for gender equality, the prevention of family violence, and support victim-survivors through our Family Violence Counselling Service.

If you would like to talk to someone, please call 1300 637 744 or visit our website page for more information.

We are thrilled to be a finalist in the 2023 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards!

Our Chronic Pain Service (CPS) has been recognised in the ‘Care Closer to Home’ award category.

Chronic and persistent pain affects 1 in 5 Australians aged 45 and over. Alongside debilitating pain comes an increased risk of depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem and social isolation.

CPS is improving long-term health and wellbeing outcomes for clients, reducing care wait times and easing the pressure on hospital waitlists. 2022 data confirms the CPS’ excellent results.

• 83% of patients reported making at least some overall improvement
• 77.8% reported an improvement in their physical abilities
• 60% reporting clinically significant improvement in anxiety
• 72.7% made a clinically significant improvement in how pain interferes with their daily life
• median wait times were 16.5 days, down from 28 days in March
• 100% respondents said the pain service positively influenced other areas of their life, work and/or relationships
• 100% would recommend the service to a friend

It was very effective! It has greatly helped me in managing my stress and anxiety related to pain and as a consequence reduced the pain itself.” – CPS client

We’re proud of this achievement, the dedication and innovation shown by our team and the ongoing support of our funding partner North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN).

The Victorian Public Healthcare Awards celebrate excellence in public healthcare and acknowledge the achievements of Victoria’s healthcare workers, volunteers, and public health services.

Winners will be announced at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards Gala Night on 16 November 2023.

Banyule Community Health and Merri Health are highly respected, community driven organisations with similar histories, shared values, and great people. From this basis of strength, the respective Boards of Banyule Community Health and Merri Health have approved the exploration of a merger between our two organisations.

If the exploration phase is successful, a merger of our organisations will enable us to improve services to our communities, and to develop and grow to meet current and future needs.

We are excited as we commence this process. Together, as strong organisations we will be able to bring to fruition a vision for the combined entity to provide improved service offerings for clients and our communities, be better prepared for our evolving care sector and increase opportunities for staff.  Banyule Community Health and Merri Health come together at a time of strength and stability, to look towards the future with this shared vision.

There are a few steps to take in the process and we are currently undertaking appropriate due diligence across both organisations and developing an action plan to guide the process. Subject to a number of approval processes, a formal merger could come into effect in the next Financial Year.

The intention of the merger is to:

• build and grow a combined entity that will strengthen and increase access to services and programs in our communities. This will not impact on our existing services.
• build on our strong history and culture to grow and evolve in the best interests of our communities and clients.
• develop a new “name/brand” that represents our past and our vision for the future.  We will involve you and the broader community in helping us develop this new brand.
• strengthen opportunities and certainty to existing staff.

Importantly, we want to ensure your feedback is heard and any questions answered promptly. You can send any questions to [email protected] or click here for “Frequently Asked Questions”. We are eager to discuss our shared vision with you and will keep you informed as soon as possible. 

We truly believe that the exploration of a merger is a positive step for both organisations and we look forward to building an improved service for our communities.

Michael Smith & Mick Geary         Benjamin Maxfield & Tassia Michaleas

Chair & CEO                                   Chair & CEO

Banyule Community Health          Merri Health

                                                 

Merri Health’s Smile Squad has celebrated a year of delivering free dental care to students in Melbourne’s North, including many who had not visited a dentist before.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children were not able to access dental appointments due to restrictions, resulting in children going without treatment and having an increased risk of escalated dental problems.

Since launching in April 2022, Merri Health’s Smile Squad has brought healthzy smiles to a high number of children who have not received any sort of dental care previously.

This included 28 per cent of children who signed up for Smile Squad services at Coburg North Primary School, who needed care for more significant dental issues.

At Glenroy Central Primary School where over 70 percent of students signed up to receive Smile Squad care 36 percent needed treatments for dental decay, requiring multiple sessions.

Merri Health CEO Tassia Michaleas said, “We’re proud to celebrate a year of bringing kids the dental care they deserve and need through Smile Squad. Early treatment and education that helps kids care for their teeth sets them up for lifelong better oral health.”

Smile Squad is led by Dental Health Services Victoria and delivered by community dental agencies across the state.

All state primary and secondary schools in Moreland have access to Smile Squad – all they have to do is sign up.

We’re delighted our Annual Report has been awarded GOLD in the 2023 Australasian Reporting Awards (ARAs).

The awards recognises excellence in reporting and transparent, balanced communications benchmarked against world best practice criteria.

Our 2022 Annual Report judged in this year’s awards celebrates Merri Health’s Partnerships in Care with over 140 organisations, and leading healthcare outcomes.

Merri Health Marketing and Communications Manager said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be recognised for our willingness to communicate transparently and effectively through our stories, achievements and challenges in this report.” 

“We’re proud of our successful, collaborative partnerships with over 140 value-aligned organisations to deliver critical world-class care and respond to the needs of our community.” 

This is the first year Merri Health has achieved gold for our Annual Report in the ARAs, after receiving silver in 2022 and 2021.

The national awards were announced at the 73^rd ARA awards in Sydney last night.

Take a look at our 2022 Annual Report.

Keep an eye out for the 2023 report later this year!