20/06/2019
The challenge of providing health care to a vast and isolated tourist location is as complex today as it was in 1952 when the Apollo Bay Hospital was established to provide acute and emergency care to Apollo Bay and surrounding townships. With travel distances of up to 75kms on treacherous roads to reach the closest major town, services provided by Otway Health are a necessity.
In 1976 the Apollo Bay Hospital established Community Services including Community Nursing and Home and Community Care (HACC) under federal government initiatives. Both of these services are still running today and provide a life line for many members of the community. HACC programs (now Community Home Support Program or CHSP) help keep the elderly fit and mobile in their own homes, living amongst their friends and families.
With a vision to the future, Otway Health opened the Laura Pengilley Aged Care Wing of the hospital in 1991, the result of community and government consultation and support. Residential aged care is provided in accordance with Montessori principles to maximise ongoing independence and optimise resident choices. With 25 flexible beds used for residential aged care to provide much needed respite, as well as an extensive health and activities program, it is a regularly accessed community asset.
Otway Health remains a vital structure in the lives of Apollo Bay and Otway residents. Staff and board look forward to completing a transition to a more sustainable model to ensure our healthcare service can grow to meet our changing needs and continue to be a vital local service 70 years from now.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community, residents, families, friends, along with current and past staff, executive and board members. To acknowledge the value that Otway Health adds to our community,
we invite you to join us in celebrating our history and our future as we move towards our new collaboration at a Board of Governance Special General Meeting Celebration & Recognition Ceremony.
Monday 24 June 2pm-3pm, Laura Pengilley Wing, Otway Health