Ambulatory Care Centre Services

Diabetes Education

Seymour Health has a qualified Diabetes Educator (Registered Nurse with a post graduate qualification in diabetes education) available to see clients by appointment.

Appointments are available at the Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC) every Wednesday from 9am – 5pm and can be made by contacting ACC on 5735 8050.

A referral from your GP or other healthcare professional is preferred to help us better assess your needs and urgency of appointment.

Clients with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can access this service.

Education and support is also offered to clients with gestational diabetes; however ongoing care may need to be transferred to another service to ensure all needs are met for the duration of the pregnancy/

Diabetes education services include:

–  Education and support in diabetes self-management and prevention/reduction of diabetes complications

–  Information on the various diabetes medication options available, how they work and potential side effects

–  Training in the use of glucose monitoring devices and insulin/medication injection devices – note: most glucose monitoring devices and some injection devices are available to clients who access this service at no extra cost

List of all medications.

Copies of most recent blood tests (your GP or practice nurse can help you with this):

• HbA1c
• Lipids
• General biochemistry
• Microalbuminuria

Your blood glucose monitoring device and diary (if using one)

Your insulin injecting advice and a spare (unused) needle if using one

Our fee is charged according to the Department of Human Services Home and Community Care (HACC) guidelines for each person enrolled in the program.  The fee is discussed at your initial assessment appointment.  Additional costs may be incurred for specialised equipment if required.

For further information and to enrol in the program, contact us at the Ambulatory Care Centre. We are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.

The Hospital does not offer a free sharps container disposal service.  This service is available from Mitchell Shire through the Seymour Library located in Anzac Avenue, Seymour. Learn more

Consumer body representing people with diabetes in Victoria, includes information, local groups and links to health professionals. Learn more

A good starting point, with links to Diabetes Australia Victoria and access to online ordering of supplies through NDSS. Learn more

This website provides information for young people with Type 1 Diabetes, with the ability to join their mailing list to receive their informative newsletter. Learn more

This Website’s focus is for Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.  (Not a medical information site.)  Reality Check has a great discussion forum where young adults (and older teens) can browse or participate in discussion groups and access current information and opinion on a wide variety of related topics. Learn more

The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is an initiative of the Australian Government administered by Diabetes Australia.  Through the administration of the NDSS, Diabetes Australia provides practical assistance, information and subsidised products to over 1,000,000 Australians diagnosed with diabetes.

Dietician

Seymour Health offers a Dietetic service for hospital inpatients, aged care residents and outpatients.  The Dietitian also provides nutrition education sessions for the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Our Accredited Practising Dietitian provides education and support for the dietary management for a range of medical conditions including, (but not limited to):

• Diabetes
• Pre-diabetes / impaired glucose tolerance
• High cholesterol
• Coeliac disease
• Gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome
• Weight management
• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Pulmonary disease
• Malnutrition

Food allergies and intolerances

Our fee is charged according to the Department of Human Services Home and Community Care (HACC) guidelines for each person enrolled in the program.  The fee is discussed at your initial assessment appointment.

Bretonneux Street, Seymour (entry from Villers Street)
03 5735 8050
Mondays only 8:30am to 4:30pm

Referrals for the Dietitian can be made by doctors, other health professionals, aged care and acute services.

 Referrals to be made to:

Ambulatory Care Centre

03 57358050
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Useful Links:

• Professional body for Dietitians in Australia with links to where to find an APD in your local area.
• Peak organisation for heart health with links to recipes and nutrition advice for cardiac conditions and general healthy eating advice.

Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP)

The HARP Program is a community and centre-based service for people with defined chronic disease which is funded by DHHS.  We work together with clients to empower them to better manage their health conditions.

Our services are part of Seymour Health. Residents from the Lower Hume, with one or more of the following:

• Chronic Heart disease
• Chronic Respiratory disease
• Diabetes
• Complex chronic disease
• Psychosocial need

HARP has a care coordination team with expertise in respiratory, cardiac and diabetes.  The service includes access to nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and other health disciplines based on individual assessed need.

We work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary health care team, including GPs and facilitate onward referrals as necessary.

The aim of the HARP service is to:

• prevent emergency health crisis
• assist clients to improve skills to reduce preventable deterioration
• assist clients in maintaining their health
• assist clients to have improved ability to manage their conditions
• provide professional support in both the home and centre environments
• reduce hospital admission and length of any hospital stay
• facilitate huff & puff groups for appropriate clients

Initially referrals are accepted from health professionals at Seymour Hospital inpatient wards, community services and Emergency Department.

Coordination of care by HARP is at no charge to the client.  Equipment loan charges apply.

A range of equipment is available through the service for a short trial in your home.  If you decide to purchase any equipment, we can provide you with some options of places to purchase.

We recognise that the sensitive information we obtain from you needs to be treated with respect and confidentiality.  The information we send onto your GP and/or other service providers will be done only with your consent.

Referrals to be made to:

Ambulatory Care Centre

03 57358050

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a physiotherapy treatment carried out in water. It is conducted and supervised by a physiotherapist. The aim of Hydrotherapy is the rehabilitation of neurological, musculoskeletal and / or cardiovascular function of the individual.

The Hydrotherapy Program is held weekly at the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre on a Thursday morning.

There are two sessions commencing at 9am and 10am at your initial assessment your physiotherapist will discuss which session is the most appropriate for you.

For further information and to enrol in the program, contact us at the Ambulatory Care Centre. We are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm

Our fee is charged according to the Department of Human Services Home and Community Care (HACC) guidelines, plus pool entry, for each person enrolled in the program.  The fee is discussed at your initial assessment appointment.

Hydrotherapy sessions are conducted at Seymour Sports & Aquatic Centre, Pollard Street Seymour.

Referrals to be made to:

Ambulatory Care Centre

03 57358050
Bretonneux Street, Seymour (enter from Villers Street)

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy aims to help the client maximise participation in meaningful activities in daily life and increase his/her independence at home and in the community.

A qualified Occupational Therapist will assess the client and develop a personalised and comprehensive program to suit the client’s needs.

The program may include training in new skills and assessment for home modifications, if required.

Equipment is available on loan – fees may apply.

Our fee is charged according to the Department of Human Services Home and Community Care (HACC) guidelines for each person enrolled in the program.  The fee is discussed at your initial assessment appointment.  Additional costs may be incurred for aids / equipment if required.

Referrals to be made to:

Ambulatory Care Centre

03 57358050
Bretonneux Street, Seymour (entry from Villers Street)
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Or click on the link to go to Connecting Care

Download our OT brochure here (Insert link to download PDF OT brochure)

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is available for outpatients, hospital in- patients and Barrabill House residents, Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5 pm.

All clients will be assessed by an experienced Physiotherapist and treatment provided according to the client’s needs.

Exercise groups:

• Strength training for over 50’s
• GLAD Hip & Knee Group
• Hydrotherapy
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Cancer wellness and exercise program

Equipment is available on loan – eligibility criteria and fees apply.

Our fee is charged according to the Department of Human Services Home and Community Care (HACC) guidelines for each person enrolled in the program.  The fee is discussed at your initial assessment appointment.

Additional costs may be incurred for aids / equipment if required.

Bretonneux Street, Seymour (enter from Villers Street)

Referrals to be made to:

Ambulatory Care Centre

03 57358050

Or click on the link for Connecting Care:

Post-Acute Care

Post-Acute Care (PAC) is located in the Community Services building at the rear of the hospital. PAC is a Victorian Department of Health funded program for patients admitted to public hospitals.

The aim of the program is to shorten the length of time that patients need to stay in hospital but supporting them and their families on discharge and to prevent unplanned readmissions.

What services are available?

Home Care
Assistance with domestic cleaning.

Personal Care
Assistance with shopping.

Personal Assistance
Assistance with personal hygiene. To receive this service the District Nurse will carry out a personal care assessment.

Respite Care
Provision of a qualified worker to relieve a carer for short periods.

Nursing Care
Visits from qualified registered nurses to assist with wound care, medication and other nursing-related care. To receive this service you will need a nursing assessment. This usually takes place prior to leaving hospital.

Allied Health Services
In some cases, the program can arrange for allied health services, such as physiotherapy. This is a limited service.

Nursing staff will discuss your discharge plan with you and if added supports are needed a referral will be made to PAC. A Care-Coordinator will either visit you on the ward or contact you via phone once you are discharged and assess your eligibility and needs. After this assessment, the program coordinator will arrange for the services to commence if needed.

To be eligible to receive Post Acute Care (PAC) services you must:

• be an inpatient in a Victorian public hospital. This includes patients admitted for same-day procedures and emergency patients.
• be assessed by a Care Coordinator
• sign a consent form to receive the services
• agree to information about you being collected and sent to the Department of Human Services so they can evaluate and monitor the program. The information sent will not include personal details such as name, address or date of birth.

Post Acute-Care is a free service.

Post-Acute Care (PAC) Contact:

Address:
Bretonneux Street, Seymour

Call:
03 5735 8056

Referrals to be made to:
SHPostAcuteCareReferrals@seymourhealth.org.au

Download our PAC brochure here

Well Women’s Clinic

Our Well Women’s Clinic is provided at the Seymour Health Ambulatory Care Centre on the first Thursday of each month from 9am-3pm. The first clinic for this year will commence in March 2022.

Clinics are run by Registered Nurses with further education in sexual and reproductive health, who are credentialed cervical screening test providers.

Ring for an appointment on 5735 8050 to ensure that you don’t miss your check up with our professional and friendly staff. Please allow approximately 45-60 minutes for your allocated appointment time.

Seymour Health also offers the Well Women’s Clinic service at the Yea Hospital several times per year for convenience of local women.

Health Promotion

What is Health Promotion?

Health promotion enables people to increase control over their own health. It covers a wide range of social and environmental interventions that are designed to benefit and protect individual people’s health and quality of life by addressing and preventing the root causes of ill health, not just focusing on treatment and cure. World Health Organization

YouTube link for DoH explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9THQTEqMaU&feature=emb_title

Seymour Health is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our community and health service. We do this by promoting good health and preventing poor health before it occurs.

Our health promotion team work closely with other key partners and organisations across our region including Nexus Primary Health, Yea and District Memorial Hospital, Alexandra District Health, Lower Hume Primary Care Partnership (LHPCP) and the Mitchell Shire. Our aim is to identify opportunities in the community and create supportive environments for communities to increase healthy behaviour choices.

We are a key contributor to the Integrated Health Promotion Prevention plan developed by the Lower Hume Primary Care Partnership.

Some of our current and ongoing projects include;

Smoking cessation

Seymour Health is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment that is free of tobacco-related risks. As part of our commitment to a smokefree health service, we have implemented a smokefree policy. This means that smoking is not permitted on any grounds of Seymour Health, including all buildings.

Healthy Choices at Seymour Health

Seymour Health recognises that we have a duty of care to lead the way in improving the health of our staff and our community. Diet alone has a big impact on our health therefore, Seymour Health has introduced healthy vending machines located in the main entrance of the hospital. The vending machine will have healthy choices and less healthy options, this allows staff and visitors to make the best choice for their health.

We have also improved our catering menu for events and functions ensuring that only healthy foods are served. Our staff menu will be assessed and improvements will be made where required.

RESPOND

RESPOND is a community-based systems approach to improving the health and wellbeing of children across the Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires. The initiative will work with each community to drive positive and practical changes from the ground up that assist in promoting healthy weight among children. This will include helping local people to identify their own community-specific actions which create healthier food environments and get local kids more active. It also works with organisations and community leaders to identify what changes can be driven at an organisational management and policy level.

Useful Links

• Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
• Better Health Channel – Victorian Government health and medical information
• Kitchen Garden Foundation – Promotes healthy food education in primary schools
• LiveLighter – A program which aims to encourage adults to lead healthier lifestyles
• Healthy Eating Advisory Service – Supports organisations to promote healthier food and drink choices
• FoodChecker – Check your foods and drinks against Victorian guidelines
• Eat For Health – Advice about the amount and kinds of foods that we need to eat for health and wellbeing
• Achievement Program – Supports Victorians to create healthy places for working, learning and living
• Quit Victoria – Quit smoking website
• Dental Health Services Victoria – More on Smiles 4 Miles