Western Victoria Primary Health Network

04/02/2026

Dementia Support Australia (DSA) is holding a free education session for carers who live in and around Warrnambool. In this informative and empowering session, you’ll gain practical information from dementia specialists on changes to mood and behaviour, understanding the diagnosis, caring for your wellbeing and the important resources available to you.
Learn more and register at https://www.dementia.com.au/scde-warrnambool-carers

03/02/2026

Happy Primary Health Care Nurses Day! Today we recognise the nurses who deliver care, connection and support across Australia. Find resources and ways to get involved: https://www.apna.asn.au/profession/primary-health-care-nurses-day

26/01/2026

With temperatures in our region predicted to soar tomorrow, it's important to heed the advice on how to stay cool and avoid health problems.

✅Staying cool. Use air conditioning and/or a fan. Wear light and loose clothing. Keep skin wet, using a spray bottle or damp sponge and by taking cool showers. If you can’t keep cool at home, think about where you can go on hot days to cool down such as public pools or air-conditioned buildings.
✅Staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Keep drinking fluids before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity.
✅Checking in with family, friends and neighbours. Let people know you are OK and check in with those at increased risk or who may need your support. Look out for those who might be more affected by extreme heat.
✅Planning ahead. Watch the weather forecast in your area and plan activities at cooler times of day.
✅Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults, or pets in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.

If needed, call Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or contact Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at https://www.vved.org.au/
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
For more information:
⏩️Bureau of Meteorology Heatwave Service for Australia - https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/heatwave-warning/IDV21013
⏩️Department of Health – Heat health warnings - https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environ.../heat-health-warning
⏩️Better Health Channel - Extreme Heat - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat
⏩️VicEmergency - https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

25/01/2026

A reminder that counselling and mental health support services are available for anyone feeling stressed or anxious about bushfires.

▶️See the image below for information on services available to people in the Colac Otways area or go to our web page to access the details https://westvicphn.com.au/for-the-community/mental-health-support/counselling-and-mental-health-services-colac-and-otways/

▶️For links to information on services in other areas of western Victoria impacted by recent fires and floods, go to https://westvicphn.com.au/about-us/latest-news/bushfire-mental-health-and-counselling-support-for-western-victorian-communities/

Colac Otway Shire Council Corangamite Shire Council Colac Area Health VicEmergency - Barwon South West VicEmergency

24/01/2026

More information on Smoke and your health is available from the Better Health Channel https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bushfiresmoke

Smoke from the Carlisle River fire in the Otways is impacting air quality in Central parts of the state.

Melbourne, Geelong and surrounding areas may experience periods of extremely poor air quality over the coming hours.

The fire breached containment lines yesterday afternoon (Saturday) and continued to grow overnight.

As of 5.30am, the fire was within one kilometre of Gellibrand. One Emergency Warning and 6 Watch & Act warnings remain in place.

For information on air quality, visit epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality

For tips on staying safe when exposed to smoke, check out the Environment Protection Authority Victoria post facebook.com/share/p/1D8zkvN9AD/

Please, only call Triple Zero Victoria (000) if you see flames or a defined column of smoke.

Today, a Total Fire Ban has been declared for Northern Country, North Central, North East and East Gippsland.

Disappointingly, during yesterday’s statewide Total Fire Ban, more than 20 fires started from campfires, bonfires and burn-offs in locations right across the state.

It is extremely important that people do not light any fires during a Total Fire Ban.

Extreme heatwave conditions are expected to continue over the coming days. Victorians should continue to stay cool and look after their health.

For the latest emergency information visit the VicEmergency app or emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/.

23/01/2026

23/01/2026

Long weekend plans can change. If you or a family member gets sick or needs urgent health care this weekend, there are options on hand if your usual GP is not available.
If you require immediate help for a life-threatening emergency, phone Triple Zero (000) or visit your nearest emergency department.
Otherwise, you can access any of the following services.
👩‍⚕️ Urgent Care Clinics – for anyone who has an injury or illness considered as serious but not life-threatening. Clinics are open in Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Torquay. To find where they are located, head to https://westvicphn.com.au/for-the-community/improving-access-to-health-care/urgent-and-after-hours-care/
📞 1800 MEDICARE – phone 1800 633 422 for the free 24/7 helpline where you can speak to a registered nurse about any health concern. Or go to https://www.1800medicare.gov.au/
💻Victorian Virtual Emergency Department – a free statewide service to treat non-life-threatening emergencies. https://www.vved.org.au/

18/01/2026

🚨 A new measles case has been reported in the Geelong region. The confirmed case attended Barwon Health North in Norlane on the 16 January 2026 between 11.20 am and 12.25 pm, and was present near the ground floor reception area.

There is an ongoing risk of measles in returning travellers from overseas or interstate. Anyone planning to go overseas should make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including the MMR vaccine. Vaccination is recommended at least two weeks before departure.

Anyone who has visited a listed exposure site during the dates and times specified should monitor for symptoms of measles. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, sore or red eyes, followed by a red rash.

📍 Find the most up to date listed exposure sites here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria

If you were born during or after 1966 and haven’t had two doses of measles vaccine, or you’re not sure if you are fully vaccinated against measles, speak to your local GP or pharmacist about getting your vaccinations as soon as possible. The Barwon Health Vaccination Centre in Belmont can provide vaccinations to those requiring urgent vaccination.

For more information for health professionals, and for details around vaccination see the latest advisory from the Chief Health Officer here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/new-measles-case-in-victoria-4

For information on measles including symptoms, those at risk and vaccination see the Better Health Channel here: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/measles

16/01/2026

As the floodwaters along the Great Ocean Road recede, it is important to stay safe and look after the health of both your mind and body.

For mental health and counselling support services >> https://westvicphn.com.au/for-the-community/mental-health-support/counselling-and-mental-health-services-colac-and-otways/
Information on animal and insect-related hazards >> https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/After-a-flood-animal-and-insect-related-hazards
Information on protecting yourself from mosquito-borne diseases >> https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/protect-yourself-mosquito-borne-disease
Information if your home has been affected by the flooding >> https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/After-a-flood-returning-home-safely

14/01/2026

Bushfires can have a mental health and wellbeing impact on anyone.

A range of mental health and counselling support services is available to anyone in western Victoria directly impacted by or feeling stressed or anxious as a result the recent bushfires in our region.

See the images below for support services in the following areas:
>Natimuk, Grass Flats, Quantong
>Colac and Otways
>Streatham, Skipton, Carranballac
>Golden Plains

The information is also available on our website https://westvicphn.com.au/about-us/latest-news/bushfire-mental-health-and-counselling-support-for-western-victorian-communities/

VicEmergency VicEmergency - Grampians VicEmergency - Barwon South West Grampians Health Ballarat Barwon Health Horsham Rural City Council Colac Otway Shire Council Ararat Rural City Council Pyrenees Shire Council Golden Plains Shire Council

14/01/2026

A new measles case has been reported in Victoria in a returned traveller from South-East Asia.

There is an ongoing risk of measles importation in travellers returning from overseas and interstate.

ℹ️ Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis).

👉 Exposure: New public exposure sites have been identified.
People who have attended the listed exposure sites, during the specified dates and times contained within the link below, should monitor for symptoms of measles.

⚠️ Symptoms: Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should seek medical care. Wear a mask and call ahead to make sure you can be isolated from others.

For the full list of these exposure sites, symptoms to monitor for, and information about vaccinations: https://go.vic.gov.au/3YDvQqg

10/01/2026

If you see +61 444 444 444 pop up on your phone, it's important you do not block it.

This phone number is linked to Emergency Alert, a national telephone warning system used by emergency services across the country to send voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobiles within a specific area to warn people about current emergencies.

Emergency Alert is not used in all situations, so it’s important to rely on more than just one source of emergency information.

Stay informed, download the VicEmergency app and visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

Follow our region-specific pages for information tailored to your local area.

VicEmergency Central - https://www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyCentral

VicEmergency Gippsland - https://www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyGippsland

VicEmergency Hume - https://www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyHume

VicEmergency Grampians - https://www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyGrampians

VicEmergency Barwon South West - https://www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyBarwonSouthWest

VicEmergency Loddon Mallee - https://www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyLoddonMallee/