Latest News
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Taking steps to reduce the health impact of tobacco on the community
From left to right, Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillor Kerri McCafferty, Mayor Despi O'Connor, Cr Lisa Dixon Cr Antonella Celi, Lyn Dawes and Martin Dawes from Safety Beach/Dromana Beach Patrol and Cr Debra Mar. Photo: Supplied, prior to COVID-19 restrictions.
Mornington Peninsula Shire, together with local beach patrol, community groups and Peninsula Health, is working hard to make the Peninsula happier, healthier and smoke free.
Cigarette butts are made of plastics which can take up to 10 years to decompose. This year to reduce butt litter in the environment and encourage residents and visitors not to smoke in public areas, we’ll be trialling smoke free areas throughout the Peninsula.
Locations include:
- Safety Beach Foreshore
- Mount Eliza Foreshore
- Rye Foreshore
- Shire offices in Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud
- Civic Reserve in Mornington
- Point Leo Foreshore (Committee of Management)
Smoke free zones will be clearly marked with signage urging people to butt out before entering. Where possible, butt bins or litter bins will be placed at ...
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Take the pressure off this winter
Skin Integrity Nurse Tara Noorman (pictured left), alongside Podiatrist Daryl Susigan and Clinical Nurse Consultant in Wound Care Meagan Shannon. Picture: Supplied
This week marks the beginning of Peninsula Health’s Winter Pressure Injury Awareness Campaign, an annual event held across the health service to celebrate the multidisciplinary team approach for preventing and managing pressure injuries every day.
A pressure injury (previously known as pressure or bed sores) is an area of skin that has been damaged because of pressure or rubbing and is usually located over a bony area.
These injuries can be painful and often lead to longer stays in hospital. If you’ve been bedridden for long enough, the areas of skin that are constantly in contact with the mattress or chair may create a wound.
Our skin integrity and podiatry teams work closely with nursing and medical colleagues, occupational therapists, dietitians and many other allied health colleagues ...
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Aunty Helen says: The essence of Reconciliation Week, as we pause to reflect
As National Reconciliation Week draws to a close tonight, this must-watch video gives a fascinating insight into Australian Indigenous history.
In celebration of our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, Peninsula Health Elder / Cultural Lead Aunty Helen Bnads expands on this year’s theme - “It’s More Than A Word” - by reflecting on the symbolism, culture and meaning important to every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian.
Every year, Reconciliation Week starts on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and ends on Mabo Day.
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“I feel really honoured”: Physiotherapist Lauren Fernandez recognised for her outstanding care
Physiotherapist Lauren Fernandez is the recipient of the 2021 Noosh McGrath Excellence in Physiotherapy Award.
Peninsula Health physiotherapist Lauren Fernandez has been recognised by her peers for her exceptional patient care and commitment to her team’s wellbeing.
Lauren was recently awarded the Physiotherapy Department’s highest honour – the Noosh McGrath Excellence in Physiotherapy Award.
The award is given each year in memory of Noosh McGrath, who gave a lasting contribution to patients and fellow staff members when she worked as a physiotherapist at Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre, prior to her passing in December 2013.
“I feel really honoured to receive this award in Noosh's name,” says Lauren.
“Given the expertise and skills within the Peninsula Heath Physiotherapy Department, I was both honoured and touched that I was nominated by my colleagues.”
“I have always been supported by my supervisors and peers throughout my career. I am thankful to have been ...
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Dromana tattooist Erin Liversidge waging a cancer fight she never saw coming
Erin Liversidge learnt she had breast cancer on Christmas eve last year at the age of 33 after a routine night feed of her youngest daughter uncovered an unusual lump.
And now, the face of Peninsula Health’s Take a Break for Cancer campaign is discovering the tools in her breast cancer fight are closer to home than she ever thought.
Erin Liversidge thought her first mammogram would be when she turned 50.
One evening after breastfeeding eight-month-old daughter Molly, the Dromana-based tattooist made a find that would change her life.
“As I was putting my bra back on, I felt it,” says the 33-year-old.
“Normally I would feel lumps and bumps from breastfeeding anyway, but this one felt bigger – bigger than a thumbnail, which I knew wasn’t normal.”
Erin was not taking any chances, booking herself into the earliest ultrasound she could find.
On Christmas eve last ...
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Consumer Rep spotlight: Byron Croft giving back to the LGBTIQ+ community
Consumer Representative Byron Croft joined our LGBTIQ+ Community Advisory Group in late 2019.
When Byron Croft came across a flyer promoting Peninsula Health's LGBTIQ+ Community Advisory Group (CAG) in September 2019, everything fell into place. He had been looking to volunteer in community health, so it was an ideal opportunity. Shortly after, Byron successfully joined the CAG and has been a valued Peninsula Health Consumer Representative ever since - one of the many we are celebrating during this National Volunteer Week. "It was just a big moment where the universe was giving me direction," explains Byron. "At the time, I was looking to get some experience volunteering in community health. The LGBTIQ+ perspective was really appealing, and so I saw the CAG as a way for me to contribute to the community." ... -
International Clinical Trials Day: Saying thank you to our community
Former patient and clinical trial participant Ted Pekala says he is in good health after suffering a heart attack in 2019.
Peninsula Health's status as an emerging leader in research and innovation would not be possible without clinical trials.
What is more, clinical trials can only happen with the support of members of the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula community.
That's why this International Clinical Trials Day, we are acknowledging all trial participants who help us further our research goals.
Take Ted Pekala, for example. Ted suffered a heart attack in October 2019 and was taken to Frankston Hospital by ambulance.
During his recovery, Ted was asked by our Cardiac Research Unit whether he would be willing to participate in a clinical trial.
The purpose of the trial is to analyse whether the use of a protein called apolipoprotein may be useful in reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in patients ...
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National Palliative Care Week 2021: It’s more than you think
Staff who make up the palliative care workforce at Peninsula Health.
With National Palliative Care Week kicking off on Sunday 23 May, we’re taking a moment to pause and reflect on the amazing impact our people have in this often misunderstood part of the health service.
This year’s theme is ‘Palliative Care… It’s more than you think!’ and it reminds us palliative care is not just about physical symptom management, but is about helping people live as well as possible, for as long as possible when living with a life-limiting or terminal illness.
“We are what I call ‘a team of teams’ - in this photo is an occupational therapist, a social worker, spiritual care staff, kitchen staff, nurses and doctors - we all work towards a common goal of making the stay of our patients as pleasant as it can be,” says Dr Sandeep Bhagat, Head of Palliative ...
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Returning with a smile: Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2021
Longtime volunteer Maggie Bell says she is excited to be back at Peninsula Health.
When Maggie Bell received her 10-year Peninsula Health Life Governorship last year, it was Volunteer Program Manager, Helen Wilson, who personally delivered the award to her house.
The duo have enjoyed a tremendous eight-year working relationship together, which has been reignited with the return of volunteers to our health service.
This National Volunteer Week (NVW), we are acknowledging the wonderful work of our volunteers – like Maggie – and consumer representatives for their outstanding commitment and support to Peninsula Health, despite not being able to attend our sites during COVID-19.
“I'm really pleased to be back volunteering, it was disappointing to have to stop,” says Maggie, who had her first day back at Frankston Hospital last Friday.
“I help Helen with all sorts of administrative things - making volunteer booklets, helping with the mail, using the ...
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Colourful celebration: Peninsula Health raises rainbow flag on IDAHOBIT 2021
Peninsula Health Community Advisory Group member Hazel Rich raises the rainbow flag for IDAHOBIT. Photo: Yanni Dellaportas.
Peninsula Health has raised the rainbow flag in support for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersex Discrimination (IDAHOBIT).
IDAHOBIT has been recognised every year since 2004, raising awareness of the violence and discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer + (LGBTIQ+) communities worldwide.
The day is marked on May 17, the date on which the World Health Organization (WHO) declassified homosexuality as being a mental disorder.
Peninsula Health Chief Executive Felicity Topp spoke to attendees at the IDAHOBIT ceremony outside the main entrance to Frankston Hospital on Monday. She stated the day reinforces the health service’s commitment to providing safe, personal, effective and connected care to every person, every time.
Chief Executive Felicty Topp addresses those gathered for the IDAHOBIT Day flag raising ceremony. ...