Community Services
The following services are delivered from our Community Services Building; District Nursing, Palliative Care and Social Support Group.
You can access our services by visiting the hospital main reception where our friendly staff can provide you with directions.
Our Community Services administration staff are available Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.30pm, excluding public holidays. A phone message can be left at all other times on the number below.
For more information or to register for a service, please phone Community Services on 5735 8060 or email mailto:SHCommunityServicesAdministration@seymourhealth.org.au
Referrals can be faxed via GOFAX to 03 4720 3113
District Nursing
For more information or to register for a service, please phone Community Services on 5735 8060 or Contact Us.
The District Nursing Service visits 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Hours of operation are 8.00am – 4.30pm.
Please phone 03 5735 8060 to make an appointment. You should also call us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or change an appointment. If calling after hours, you can leave a message.
District Nursing Services are available in Seymour, Puckapunyal, Tallarook, Trawool, Avenel, Nagambie, Broadford and surrounding areas.
The District Nursing Service is operated by qualified nurses and is part of the services offered by Seymour Health. We help our clients with a wide range of conditions and situations, including:
- Wound care
- Stoma care
- Diabetes management
- Medication management
- Continence management
- Confusion/dementia care
- Carer support
- Palliative care
- Post-acute care
- Hospital in the home program
- Wellness and Reablement
- Referral for personal care assessment and assistance
Our aim to provide a service that is professional, meet the client’s expectations and is in line with best practice at all times. For this reason, we also work closely with other health care agencies.
Following assessment by the District Nurse, you may be referred to other health providers for assistance with ongoing care. We will only do this with your consent.
There is a fee for District Nursing Services. This fee is set by the Department of Health and the Commonwealth Government and is based on each individual’s financial situation. We will discuss this with you at our first visit.
We also charge a fee for most wound care products. However, if you are experiencing financial difficulties, please discuss this with the nurse and an adjustment may be considered on an individual basis.
All District Nursing staff wear a uniform, identification badge and drive a SDMH hospital car. Staff will identify themselves before asking to enter your home.
Referrals can be made by the client, a doctor, carer, family, friends or other health care providers.
All referrals for District Nursing for people aged 65 years or older (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), that will require care lasting longer than 3 months, need to be referred to My Aged Care for assessment. You can contact My Aged Care on Ph: 1800 200 422 and request a referral to District Nursing or contact us directly to assist you.
Download our District Nursing brochure here
To make a referral, please phone Community Services on 5735 8060 or fax via GOFAX to 03 4720 3113
Palliative Care
The Lower Hume Palliative Care Service is based in Seymour (located in the Community Services building at the rear of the hospital) and provides care and support for consumers with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers.
The service can be provided to consumers wherever the consumer chooses to be – home, hospital or Residential Aged Care Facility and services the clients living in the Shires of Mitchell, Murrindindi and the western area of Strathbogie.
The Palliative Care team comprises of Clinical Nurse Specialists, a Loss & Grief Coordinator and a volunteer coordinator. The Palliative Care team works closely with the Goulburn Valley Health Palliative Care Consultancy team to ensure we meet the needs of our clients.
Download our Palliative Care brochure here
For more information or to register for a service, please phone Lower Hume Palliative Care Services on 5735 8070 or email SHCommunityServicesAdministration@seymourhealth.org.au
Healthcare providers can access our referral form by clicking on the following link:
https://referral.lowerhume.hume.pal.care
Faxes can be sent via GOFAX to 03 4720 3113.
A consumer’s consent is necessary to provide this service.
A consumer, family member or carer can self-refer by calling 03 5735 8070
After initial contact, the palliative care team will conduct an assessment of the consumer and his/her needs. Assessments meeting the criteria will be eligible for the provision of the agreed service from that moment with a referral to the District Nursing Service and/or a visiting volunteer, if desired.
This is a holistic service; Seymour Health will liaise with the consumer’s doctor, hospital and other health care providers as required, to provide the best possible care and support of the consumer’s choice throughout their illness, and support for the family/carer.
The palliative care program is a State and Federal funded program, therefore no charge is payable for Lower Hume Palliative Care services.
If you have made an appointment to consult with our nurses via Telehealth, you can enter the waiting room via clicking on this link.
Consumers who may benefit from extra support locally but are not yet ready for Community Palliative care, can be referred to the Early Referral Clinic.
This is a single appointment clinic where the client will be signposted to services and supports in their area, and any client requiring ongoing/complex support should be referred directly to our community palliative care service the usual way.
What consumers can expect at an appointment:
- Symptom Assessment and management advice
- Social review including Next of Kin Details and Genogram
- Advice on local services
- A Report back to the GP and/or Specialist with a summary of the consult
- A Chance to discuss Advanced Care Planning
Download our Early Referral Clinic brochure here
Social Support Group
Seymour Health Social Support Group is designed to encourage community members to participate in healthy, recreational and cultural activities that stimulate wellbeing. Social support group provides social, intellectual, physical and emotional stimulation to help clients maintain living and social skills. . The focus is on fun, friendships and variety.
- Programs that encourage participation in a variety of activities that cater for individual interests and capabilities in an environment of inclusiveness and connectedness within our community
- a safe and secure environment to meet the needs of people with disabilities and dementia
- support with personal care requirements
- the opportunity for carers to have respite from their caring roles
- Home visits (if we are unable to meet as a group)
- Day outings – exploring the Goulburn
- Group shopping
- Guest speakers
- Music
- Film Days
- Bingo
- Cards
- Arts and crafts
- Exercise and physical games
- Theme days (Melbourne Cup, Australia Day etc.)
- Special Interest Days
Our program is centre based with a monthly outing. We are located in the Community Services building at the rear of Seymour Hospital. The site has wheelchair access.
The centre is open Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays (9.00 -4.30pm).
Our fee is charged according to the Government guidelines for each person enrolled in the program. The fee is discussed at the initial assessment appointment. Morning and afternoon tea are provided at no extra cost. We have NDIS accreditation.
The Centre has a small bus with wheelchair access and a hoist. The bus is driven by Centre staff to assist you. Those who can are encouraged to make their own arrangements. For more information, contact us, or call directly on 03 5793 6120.
For People 65years or over (50years and over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) need to be registered with My Aged Care. Once registered with My Aged Care a living at home assessment will be carried out by a Regional Assessment officer where your needs are documented and a care plan is developed with you, your family member or advocate.
Your support plan will include details of a referral to Social Support Group.
For people under the age of 65years they can contact us directly or be referred by their support coordinator or relative/carer or GP.
Download our Social Support Group brochure here
For more information or to register for the service, please phone Social Support Group on 03 5793 6120 or email SHCommunityServicesAdministration@seymourhealth.org.au or fax via GOFAX to 03 4720 3113