From new health hubs and clinics to some of the Goulburn Valley’s biggest fundraising health events — it’s been a big year for health in the region.
The News has compiled some of the top stories from the year.
Specialist women’s mental health service opens in Shepparton
A new women’s mental health service was launched in Shepparton in February to address the gap in female-focused psychiatric care and combat gender-based violence in mixed mental health facilities. The service was developed in partnership with Goulburn Valley Health, Ramsay Health Care and Alfred Health and was informed by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System’s recommendation. The service consists of two in-patient beds at Shepparton Private Hospital and three hospital-in-the-home beds, allowing women to remain at home during treatment. The service targets women and those identifying as women aged 18 and older, focusing on complex mental health and trauma in Shepparton’s culturally diverse community with a significant First Nations population.
Victorian health minister refuses to commit to funding stage two GV Health redevelopment
In March, the Victorian Government announced it had no plans to fund stage two of the Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment, marking the completion of the final stage. The $230 million redevelopment, considered stage one, includes the new Emergency Department, which began operations in October 2022 and was officially unveiled by Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas on March 16. Stage two would have involved upgrading the Oncology Ward and parts of the hospital that had not been updated for four decades.
GV Health home to state-of-the-art prostate cancer diagnostic equipment
Earlier this year, Goulburn Valley Health achieved a significant milestone in prostate cancer diagnosis with the introduction of a state-of-the-art transperineal biopsy machine. Financed through local charities, including the Male Bag Foundation, Freemasons Foundation Victoria, Honda Foundation and the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch Shepparton, along with the GV Health Foundation, the machine eliminates the need for patients to travel to Melbourne for treatment. The transperineal approach offers a more comfortable and less risky alternative to traditional biopsies, reducing infection rates and providing more accurate tissue samples. The advancement enhances local diagnostic capabilities, leading to improved treatment plans, better patient outcomes, and an enhanced quality of life for those dealing with prostate cancer in the region.
Dr Bavi Bhat recognised with AM
In June, Dr Ravi Bhat, divisional clinical director of mental health services at Goulburn Valley Health and associate professor of psychiatry, was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant contributions to medicine and rural psychiatry. Beyond healthcare, he is a valued board member of Goulburn Valley Grammar School, a member of the Shepparton Art Museum and a supporter of local theatre arts groups.
New docs on the block: Brothers open new Shepparton medical clinic
Shepparton’s healthcare services received a boost in July with the opening of Shepparton GP Medical Practice and Acupuncture Clinic at 31 Wyndham St. The clinic, led by brothers Dr Rashid Khan and Dr Basit Khan, caters to all ages. The doctors, who have been part of the Shepparton community since 2011, recognised the need for additional healthcare facilities due to the shortage of general practitioners across Australia and the growing demand for their services. With comprehensive healthcare offerings, including acupuncture, the clinic was created to address the local community’s healthcare needs and provide valuable services in response to the area’s medical requirements.
New heart hub for GV
Connected Cardiology opened its doors in Shepparton in August, improving heart health support in the Goulburn Valley. Led by Dr Jennifer Coller, the clinic focuses on enhancing care for rural patients. Dr Coller, with extensive cardiology experience, aims to offer reviews, tests and coaching to empower patients in understanding and managing their heart conditions. Operating both in-person and through telehealth, Connected Cardiology provides cardiology consultations and various cardiac tests, including echocardiograms and stress testing, to make specialised cardiac care more accessible in regional Victoria.
Memorial launched for those who go unseen and the loved ones left behind
Primary Care Connect in Shepparton launched a memorial on August 29 for International Overdose Awareness Day. The tribute is to show solidarity for those who lost loved ones to overdoses. The memorial, located in its community garden, features a vertical wall for community members to attach padlocks engraved with personal messages in memory of loved ones lost to overdose. This came around when Australia’s Annual Overdose Report for 2023 was released, revealing that since 2001, there had been more than 37,000 drug-induced deaths.
Medicinal cannabis grower says TGA accreditation boosts future growth plans
In early September, Cannatrek received Good Manufacturing Practice accreditation from the Therapeutic Goods Administration for its $5 million processing facility in Shepparton. The facility forms part of a $17 million investment plan in the area, which includes a farm to research and grow cannabis, and is expected to supply the processing site next year.
Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch hailed the greatest yet
The Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch in Shepparton held on Saturday, August 26 lived up to its name and was declared the biggest one to have taken place, raising over $120,000. More than 1010 people attended the event, which featured former NBA basketballer Chris Anstey and comedian Peter Helliar as guest speakers. The stars of the lunch, however, were local men living with prostate or bowel cancer, who spoke about their experiences, along with bowel cancer survivor and dairy farmer Greg Brooks. Money raised from the event funds the employment of specialist prostate and bowel cancer nurses in Shepparton, who help men with their treatments.
‘We’re completely blown away by the amount and the support from the community’: Ladies Who Lunch organiser
The inaugural Ladies Who Lunch event held by the GV Health Foundation on Sunday, October 29 raised over $100,000 for women’s cancer services in the Goulburn Valley. The amount raised exceeded expectations and was a reflection of the generosity of the local community. The event had 745 attendees, and $30,000 was raised from a silent auction and bidding auction at the dinner. The money raised from the event went towards supporting cancer services for women in Shepparton.