ACT Government Health and Community Services

ACT Government Health and Community Services Official page for the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate.

Keeping you informed about Canberra’s public health system and the community services that promote healthy lives. House Rules:
Any offensive comments/behaviour, bullying and spamming will be removed

“I always like to fight for the underdog, and I realised that women are not getting the same rights as men.” These are ...
07/03/2026

“I always like to fight for the underdog, and I realised that women are not getting the same rights as men.”

These are the words of Jayanti Gupta who embodies the theme of International Women's Day: 'Balance the Scales’.

Jayanti is the founder/presenter of Gender Equity Matters, a weekly radio show on 2XX. She regularly broadcasts about issues relating to gender, women and girls in the ACT.

So what fuels her passion?

Jayanti says, “Many other women have fought for the rights we have achieved today, so why not pass the good deeds around.”

She adds, “What’s rewarding is the smile I see on the faces of people I help. I don’t expect anything in return, but that is satisfying.” 🥰

Jayanti’s contributions were recognised with an ACT Women’s Award in 2025. 💛⭐

Tag an amazing woman or girl you know in the comments – and happy International Women's Day!

Exhibitor registrations are now OPEN for the 2026 Volunteering Expo! 🌏 2026 is the International Year of Volunteers for ...
04/03/2026

Exhibitor registrations are now OPEN for the 2026 Volunteering Expo!

🌏 2026 is the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development and you can be a part of it!

The Expo is the central meeting place for volunteers and not-for-profits to connect and showcase their work.

Connect your organisation with all Canberra has to offer.

When?
📅 Friday, 20 March 2026
📍 University of Canberra

With over 1,000+ attendees you can showcase how volunteering powers sustainable change.

Register today on the Volunteering ACT website: https://volunteeringact.org.au/2026-volunteering-expo/

Dr Laura has many patients with formally diagnosed ADHD ranging from children to adults. So, when the recent changes ca...
03/03/2026

Dr Laura has many patients with formally diagnosed ADHD ranging from children to adults.

So, when the recent changes came into effect allowing GPs to better support and care for their patients with ADHD, Laura was keen to come on board.

“I decided to do the training because these changes could potentially remove an extra step for my patients in ongoing access to their medication.

“A lot of my patients, who I have known for many years, tell me their preference is to see their GP, a long-standing source of trust and support, for all their ongoing prescriptions. It’s wonderful to be able to offer this for their ADHD medications as well.”

GP’s who complete approved training can continue prescribing ADHD medication for eligible patients and make minor changes to medicines without needing repeated patient reviews from a relevant specialist.

“In my practice we invest in relationships with our patients, so we get to know them well. This means we know their ADHD and other components of their medical history, inside out.

“By being able to offer ongoing ADHD prescribing to my patients who remain stable on treatment, I can manage their health even more holistically, while monitoring for possible drug interactions or side effects under the one roof of their family physician.

“We also support for our patients beyond medication by offering lifestyle strategies, practical tools and ongoing encouragement that make sense in the context of their everyday lives.

“I am so happy to be part of this initiative, which will hopefully help people with ADHD to access the treatment they need in a sustainable and timely manner”.

Learn more about the changes: https://www.act.gov.au/health/mental-health-care/adhd-care-in-the-act

The ACT Government is appealing for information to help secure the best possible future for a newborn boy who was placed...
01/03/2026

The ACT Government is appealing for information to help secure the best possible future for a newborn boy who was placed at a south Canberra fire station in November last year.

Our focus is ensuring the baby has every opportunity for a healthy, connected life. While he is safe, thriving, and being cared for by foster carers, the connection to his biological family—however limited—may be deeply significant to his future wellbeing.

We are now asking for your help again. We need to make long term decisions to ensure he has stability and a secure home. Only the baby’s family can provide vital information—his medical or developmental history, cultural or community connections, and hopes for his future.

There is no expectation that anyone who comes forward must be part of his life going forward, if they don’t want to. Even limited information will help shape decisions about the baby’s long term care, identity, health and family connections.

Anyone with information—no matter how small—is urged to come forward.
We ask the community:
• Do you recognise the blanket he was wrapped in?
• Do you know someone who was pregnant and due around November 2025, that may have information?

If so, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersact.com.au

Crime Stoppers provides a confidential, anonymous and secure link between us and the community to ensure potentially vital information can be collected.

This appeal is not about blame—it is about compassion, care, and supporting everyone involved.

If you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, free and confidential support is available through:
• Parentline ACT – (02) 6287 3833
• ACT Early Parenting Support – (02) 5124 1775
• ACT Children, Youth and Families – 13 22 81
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
• Child and Family Centres – Tuggeranong, West Belconnen, Gungahlin

More information can be found at https://www.act.gov.au/community/families/appeal-for-information

26/02/2026

🎶 Heading to DIGI CULTURE & MUSIC this Saturday?

Look after yourself and your mates.

💧 Hydrate hydrate HYDRATE.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

⚡ Go easy on the caffeine, alcohol & energy drinks.
They can dehydrate you faster than you think.

🧢 Being sun smart is … well … smart.
Wear a hat and sunnies, use SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen, and seek out shade where you can.

💊 Illegal drugs aren’t safe to use, but drug checking services can help people make informed choices about what they consume.
Extra drug checking services are available this weekend:

CANTEST is open extended hours today and tomorrow (3pm–9pm). It’s free and confidential. Find out more 👉 https://cantest.com.au/

Pill Testing Australia will be providing a free drug checking service on site at the festival.

💛 Respect boundaries.
Affirmative consent means an enthusiastic ‘yes’ that’s ongoing and never assumed.

🏥 Feeling unwell? Head to the medical tent.

🚑 In an emergency, a paramedic’s first priority is your health and safety.

Enjoy the festival safely, Canberra 🫶✨

Your voice matters in maternity care. That’s why we’ve been gathering feedback through our ACT Maternity Experience Surv...
23/02/2026

Your voice matters in maternity care. That’s why we’ve been gathering feedback through our ACT Maternity Experience Survey.

The survey will help us know what we’re doing well and how we can continue to improve maternity care in Canberra.

You can now see the first results of the survey here: https://bit.ly/3OyowtS

As more people complete the survey, this data will grow to give a clearer picture of maternity care and experiences in Canberra.

If you’ve recently given birth, take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3YTJUwz

Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback so far. Your voice matters and will help shape safe and respectful care that centres women and birthing people.

🌟 Applications are open to be part of the ACT Reconciliation Day event in 2026! 🌟 Reconciliation Day brings our communi...
22/02/2026

🌟 Applications are open to be part of the ACT Reconciliation Day event in 2026! 🌟

Reconciliation Day brings our community together to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, amplify First Nations voices, promote meaningful conversations, and strengthen relationships across the ACT.

We’re seeking expressions of interest from:
✨ Artists and performers
🛍️ Market stall holders
🍴 Food vendors
🤝 Community groups

📅 Monday 1 June 2026 (Public Holiday)
📍 John Dunmore Lang Place, Parkes
⏰ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

📝 Applications close Friday 6 March 2026
👉 For more information and to apply, visit bit.ly/recday26eoi

Public health alert - Measles case in the ACTThe Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) can confirm a case of ...
20/02/2026

Public health alert - Measles case in the ACT

The Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) can confirm a case of measles has been identified in the ACT in a recently returned overseas traveller.

The individual attended the following public venues while unknowingly infectious. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.

• Hertz Car Rental Agency, Canberra Airport on 16/2/2026 between 5:00pm-7:30pm
• Arrivals – ground level, Canberra Airport on 16/2/2026 between 4:30pm-5:30pm
• Gungahlin Walk-In Centre on 18/2/2026 between 3:15pm -5:40pm
• Emergency Department waiting room, Canberra Hospital on 18/2/2026 between 6:00pm-8.30pm.

Known contacts are being followed up in line with national guidelines to provide them with appropriate advice.

Anyone who has not already been contacted by HCSD and attended these locations within the listed times is advised to:

• Monitor for symptoms of measles. It can take up to 18 days to develop symptoms after being exposed.

• If symptoms develop, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles and wear a face mask when you go.

• If you have not received two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine) or are unsure, please contact a GP or pharmacist (for people from 5 years) to receive a measles-containing vaccine. This works best when given soon after being exposed, usually within 72 hours. The vaccine is free in the ACT but an administration fee may apply.

• Call HCSD on (02) 5124 9213 if you have a weakened immune system (e.g. people who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer or people who take high-dose steroid medications), are pregnant and unvaccinated, or have an infant under 12 months of age.

Symptoms of measles include:
• fever
• tiredness
• runny nose
• sore and red eyes
• cough
• non-itchy, blotchy red rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.

Measles is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease that is spread when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.

More information about this public health alert can be found at http://bit.ly/3ZLMGDW

'Keriba gesep agiakar dikwarda keriba mir. Ableglam keriba Mir pako Tonar nole atakemurkak.' 'The land actually gave bir...
19/02/2026

'Keriba gesep agiakar dikwarda keriba mir. Ableglam keriba Mir pako Tonar nole atakemurkak.'

'The land actually gave birth to our language. Language and culture are inseparable.'

This quote is from Bua Benjamin Mabo, Meriam linguist.

Tomorrow, 21 February, we celebrate International Mother Language Day and note that in Australia there are more than 250 Indigenous languages including around 800 dialects.

Wherever you are from, keeping your ties to language keeps your culture strong. Kids who grow up speaking two or more languages at home have excellent comprehension and critical thinking skills and it’s a great way to introduce them to their roots.

Celebrate your mother tongue today, and every day - and this is a special shout out to our Ngunnawal and other multi-language-speaking locals!

Djan Yimaba Yara 😊

When the weather is warm, many of us gather the kids or a group of friends and head out to one of Canberra’s recreationa...
19/02/2026

When the weather is warm, many of us gather the kids or a group of friends and head out to one of Canberra’s recreational waterways.

But before you do, there are some simple steps you should take to make sure you’re prepared.

✅ Check the water quality before swimming or playing in lakes, ponds and rivers: www.cityservices.act.gov.au/news/news-and-events-items/water_quality_in_our_lakes_and_ponds

⚠️ Check signage for changes in water conditions and possible hazards.

🌧️Avoid swimming in waterways for several days after heavy rain.

To learn more, visit www.act.gov.au/health and search ‘water quality

13/02/2026

Roses are red
Violets are blue
If you’re sexually active, STI checks are essential for you.

Today, 13 February, marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. The National Apology recog...
12/02/2026

Today, 13 February, marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.

The National Apology recognised the harm caused by past government policies that removed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities, and culture. These children are known as the Stolen Generations.

We acknowledge the strength, courage, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We also recognise that the effects of these laws and policies are still felt today across the community.

The anniversary is a time to remember, to learn, and to reflect - so we can build understanding, practice truth-telling and ensure this harm is never repeated.

You can learn about the Stolen Generations and the National Apology on the Healing Foundation website: https://healingfoundation.org.au/

Address

Bowes Street
Canberra, ACT
2606

Website

https://www.act.gov.au/act-g

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