Barwon Health

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Geelong, VIC
Barwon Health

Victoria's largest regional service, providing state-of-the-art treatment and care.

Barwon Health is established under the Health Services Act 1988 as a Schedule 5 public health service. Formed in 1998, Barwon Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health services in Australia,
providing care at all stages of life and circumstance. With more than 8,758 staff, we are one of Australia’s
largest regional employers and the largest employer in Geelong. Barwon Health provides services for everyone who needs care, regardless of their financial status or the location of their usual residence. As a regional health service, we provide leadership and tertiary referral services across the
Barwon South West region. We provide services from the University Hospital Geelong precinct in central Geelong, the McKellar Centre precinct in North Geelong and other locations including the Sunrise Centre, a partnership initiative with the Geelong Football Club and the Transport Accident Commission that provides a contemporary community venue for specialist community rehabilitation programs. We provide community health services from Anglesea, Belmont, Corio, Newcomb, and Torquay and dental services from Belmont, Corio and Newcomb. Our newest sites include Barwon Health North in Norlane providing, amongst other services, child and family health services, renal dialysis, medical imaging and an urgent care service. Mental health, drugs and alcohol services are provided at the Swanston Centre at University Hospital Geelong, Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) at Belmont Community Rehabilitation Facility, the McKellar Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre and Blakiston Lodge Psychogeriatric Unit at the McKellar Centre and 10 community-based locations including Belmont, central Geelong, Colac, Corio, Barwon Health North and Newcomb. We provide residential aged care beds across two sites: Alan David Lodge in Charlemont, and three lodges on the
McKellar Centre precinct in North Geelong these include Percy Baxter Lodge, Wallace Lodge and Blakiston Lodge. We provide a comprehensive range of health services including acute care (medicine, surgery, women’s health,
paediatrics, emergency and specialist clinics), mental health, alcohol and other drugs services, primary care,
community health, rehabilitation, geriatric medicine, palliative care, community nursing and hospital in the home. As a major teaching hospital, we have relationships with Deakin University, LaTrobe University, the Gordon
Institute and other tertiary education providers including the University of Melbourne and Monash University. We
provide teaching and training for all health professionals across all disciplines, at all career stages.

14/11/2025

𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐞, 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞
"I’m the clinic nurse at the Diabetes Referral Centre (DRC) where I help make sure our clinic run smoothly each day. I screen patients, manage blood glucose data, start people on continuous glucose monitors and support our team with everything from education packs to quality improvement projects.

Behind the scenes, I manage stock and equipment, prepare patient education materials and starter packs, order supplies from various vendors and ensure our clinic is fully set up and ready to run efficiently. I also orientate nursing and podiatry students, helping them experience the full scope of diabetes care at DRC and collaborate closely with our diabetes educators, doctors and admin staff to make sure each clinic day flows smoothly.

I’ve been an endorsed enrolled nurse (EEN) for 13 years and I am currently studying my Bachelor of Nursing. I joined Barwon Health in April 2024, starting in the Clinical Resource Unit (CRU) before moving into a permanent role at DRC a few months later.

I love the mix of clinical work, teamwork and helping people feel more confident in managing their diabetes. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside such a passionate and supportive team and to be part of improving care for people living with diabetes every day."

13/11/2025

World Diabetes Day at Barwon Health 🎨💙

In celebration of World Diabetes Day this Friday, November 14, the Diabetes Referral Centre (DRC) is proudly showcasing artwork created by students from Whittington Primary School.

Their colourful pieces celebrate community, care, and awareness around diabetes brightening the clinic and sparking conversation all week long.

A big thank you to our dedicated Diabetes and Endocrinology team and to the talented young artists for their creativity and contribution. 💙

Pictured:
Back row (L–R): Kimberly Cukier – Head of Unit, Diabetes and Endocrinology; Anita Ritchie – Nurse Unit Manager, Diabetes Referral Clinic; Magdalen Lee – Clinic Nurse; Dane Noble – Assistant Principal, Whittington Primary School; Emma Lamb – Principal, Whittington Primary School.
Front row (L–R): Eleona Tuifua and Caitlin Watson – School Captains, Whittington Primary School.

13/11/2025

⭐ This week is Perioperative Nurses Week and we're celebrating our perioperative STARS (Scrub/Scout, Technicians, Anaesthetics, Recovery and Support).

Perioperative nurses and theatre teams are the heart of every surgical journey, working behind the scenes to ensure every procedure runs safely, smoothly and with care. From preparing instruments and equipment, to calming patients before surgery and supporting recovery, their teamwork and expertise makes all the difference.

Pictured: Perioperative nurses and their star-shaped cookies

10/11/2025

Today we honour Remembrance Day with a minute's silence for the many Australians who have been lost while serving Australia, as well as those still serving in our defence forces today.

At 11am, we pause to remember their bravery and sacrifice, as well as those affected by conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations across the world.

A wreath has been laid on behalf of our Board and Executive team in the Ted Mankelow Remembrance Garden at University Hospital Geelong.

Lest we forget.

07/11/2025

𝐌𝐞𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞
"As a nurse practitioner with community palliative care, my main focus is improving quality of life for patients with a life limiting illness through a holistic and multidisciplinary approach. I am involved in our Palliative Care Clinic which includes a physiotherapist, a dietitian, a occupational therapist and a social worker. This clinic monitors patients as they continue treatment that are well enough to be seen in a clinic setting rather than home or as an early introduction to palliative care.

I have been nursing for 35 years and have been with Barwon Health for 21 years. I first started working in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department from 2003 to 2008 before starting with Community Palliative Care (CPC) in 2009 after a personal experience caring for my dad when he died at home due to advancing pancreatic cancer.

Within CPC I've been a community palliative care nurse specialist, clinical trial coordinator, nurse practitioner candidate and a nurse practitioner. I have helped run and coordinate the Cachexia and Nutritional Support Service (CNSS) prior to commencing the role in the PCC.

My role is very rewarding to be able to help support people during such a vulnerable time. To educate and teach patients that palliative care is not all about death and dying, it's about focusing on quality, independence, strength and living well until that time comes. However, I also don’t shy away from palliative care being about the dying phase. By planning for the future and ensuring they have checked off all their goals, we can help decrease stress on them and their family during that process.

My background of ED and ICU resulted in patients and families experiencing death in quite an unexpected and tragic way. Working in palliative care usually allows time for patients to plan, have discussions and focus on how they would like their death to look like. You live everyday and you only die once and in palliative care we want that to be the best it can be."

06/11/2025

In this episode of Room 64, A Palliative Care Podcast, we are joined by senior dietitian Justine Watts from our Palliative Care service.

Sharing information about her role as a dietitian, Justine talks about the team approach to supporting patients to achieve their goals through their palliative care journey. This episode is a rare insight into the unique role of the dietitian, the importance of working with other members of the Palliative Care team and why the dietitian role is an interesting career opportunity.

Please take the opportunity to listen to this episode and share through your networks to keep these important conversations happening.

🎧 Listen here: https://bit.ly/3XitQCM
View all our podcasts: https://bit.ly/490vMqQ

06/11/2025

This week is National Radiographers and Radiation Therapists’ Week and we’re celebrating the vital role of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

Have you ever wondered why radiographers step behind a screen during your X-ray? In our latest episode of , Bec explains how radiographers stay safe while keeping you safe too and some insights into X-rays and radiation.

06/11/2025

🖌️🎨🖼️ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢-𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐬!

As work continues to progress on site for Barwon Women's and Children's, some gorgeous works of art have been added to the project hoarding, brightening up the main entrance to University Hospital Geelong.

What makes you feel better? That’s what we asked creative kids to draw on for the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s!

💗 The artworks they created are inspired by nature, animals, healthcare heroes and hopes for the future.

The feel-good artworks are now on full display on the fencing around the Barwon Women’s and Children’s worksite.

Our thanks to the primary school students from across the Barwon South West region who took part, as well as their teachers and families for support.

02/11/2025

Barwon Health marked Occupational Therapy Week 2025 with a powerful forum on 23 October, themed Practice with Purpose.

The event featured expert guest speakers including Dr Marlena Klaic, Professor Leeanne Carey and Associate Professor Dani Hitch, who shared insights on implementation science, SENSe therapy, and neuro-affirming practice.

Held in partnership with Deakin University school of occupational therapy and the Barwon Health Foundation and with thanks to our sponsors CHS Healthcare, LINDS Rehabilitation Equipment, Crescent Healthcare, Urgoform, the forum also included an equipment display and afternoon tea. The optional dinner at Centra Geelong capped off a day of learning, connection and celebration.

31/10/2025

𝐌𝐢𝐚 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞, 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞
Meet Mia - A clinical nurse specialist who also works as a health and safety representative at Barwon Health.

"I am a clinical nurse specialist on the paediatric ward where we care for infants through to adolescents and their families, across a spectrum of healthcare needs. The variety and opportunity to practice broadly in paediatrics, whilst also specialising is what I love about working here. Our team collectively has so much knowledge and clinical experience.

I have just completed post graduate studies in Youth Mental Health through University of Melbourne. I undertook formal health and safety representative (HSR) training early in 2025, previously having not known the role existed. I enjoy being the HSR on my ward because it has broadened my understanding of the various departments within the hospital and deepened my knowledge of occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation.

The role has given me the opportunity to collaborate with different teams and contribute to fostering a safer, more supportive work environment for everyone. I strive to listen objectively to individuals’ concerns and approach challenges with creative, practical problem-solving strategies. I hope that being approachable and open has helped me build trust with my colleagues, making it easier to work together toward shared safety goals, whether it’s environmental hazards or OVA minimisation. As a HSR, I promote open discussion and work collaboratively, I am proactive in looking for opportunities to improve and encourage others to do the same."

31/10/2025

🎉 Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Geelong Business Excellence Awards!

Barwon Health is proud to sponsor the Health and Wellbeing Promoting Workplace Award, recognising organisations that make staff wellbeing and community care a true priority.

👏 A special congratulations to Create Balance Psychotherapy & Counselling, this year’s winner. Under the inspiring leadership of CEO Shannon Bowman, Create Balance has built a culture of empathy, inclusion, and support showing how compassion and lived experience can shape healthier workplaces and communities.

We’re proud to celebrate local businesses leading the way in creating positive, caring environments across our region.

30/10/2025

Australian smoking rates are steadily declining. Australians are choosing to not smoke or v**e with well over 85 per cent of our population now cigarette and v**e free. People who do smoke or v**e are quitting and people who do not are not taking it up.

The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW 2025) Smoking and e-cigarettes report shows that smoking among Australians is at its lowest since the second world war (8.3%). Va**ng consumption is also falling. This is great news when we know that smoking is the highest avoidable reason for illness and death.

This is great news. Well done Australia.

For personalised, free support to quit smoking or va**ng call our Be Smokefree service on 1300 715 673 or drop in to any of our community health centres or visit https://www.barwonhealth.org.au/service/be-smokefree-clinics/

Address

272-322 Ryrie Street
Geelong, VIC
3220

Telephone

+61342150000

Website

http://www.barwonhealth.org.au/

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Our Story

Barwon Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health services in Australia, providing care at all stages of life and circumstance. Health services available through Barwon Health cover the full spectrum from primary care, community services, aged care, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency and acute care. With the exception of neurosurgery and transplantation, virtually all other specialties are available through University Hospital Geelong.

Care is provided to the community through:

Community health services at key locations throughout the region.

Aged care through the McKellar Centre and its sites at North Geelong and Charlemont.

Barwon Health

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