Latest News

COVID-19 winter booster shot. As winter draws closer, an additional booster dose, or ‘winter dose’, is recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who have already had their first booster dose. This booster is available through GPs and pharmacists and can be administered four months after the last booster shot. People who have had COVID-19 should also wait at least 4 months before having an additional dose.

Next wave of COVID-19. The focus on COVID-19 is once again intensifying, with future modelling indicating the next wave of COVID-19 will hit in April and May this year. The best way you can prepare for this is to: Get vaccinated and get your booster shots. Wear a face mask when it’s required - unless you have a lawful exemption. It’s also ok to choose to wear one in settings where this is not mandated.

A TRIAL program providing Ouyen residents with healthcare options in their own community has been hailed a “huge success” by patients, participants and healthcare providers, with high hopes that funding will be provided for it to continue.

Share your story. At MTHCS we care about our communities, so we have launched a new way for people to share their experience with our organisation. We are encouraging our clients/consumers to share their story about how MTHCS has cared for them on Care Opinion - a safe and independent way for community members to give us their feedback.

Remaining COVID Vigilant! What a great opportunity to relax and recharge in perfect weather over the Labour Day long weekend! But if you’ve been away, around new people or socialising in different communities or groups please be extra COVID-vigilant. With the extra movement and activity that comes with a long weekend, please ensure you are keeping an eye out for any COVID symptoms.

The first phase of the Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is in place following the appointment of two Rural Outreach Workers (ROWs) based in Ouyen and Sea Lake. Renae Bonica and Natarsha Hickey have been appointed to the roles and will travel throughout the catchment.

Water program to make a splash. Are you and your child interested in gaining confidence in the water? MTHCS Infant Water Program aims to concentrate on water familiarisation, water safety education and an introduction to basic swimming skills. If this is something you are interested in, please call Allied Health team on 50921111 or text 0409483132 and provide your name and email to go on our email list!

COVID-Normal. There has been more easing of restrictions in a number of areas and these are further welcome steps towards “COVID Normal” – a relief, but in reality, COVID-Normal is less about rules and more about putting the on us back on us, as community members. Our experience over the past two years has demonstrated that our Mallee communities do the right thing and, in COVID-Normal.

Visits to Aged Care. If you are visiting a resident in Aged Care, you may be asked to take a RAT test before you enter. We are ramping up testing for visitors as a precautionary measure. We are doing all we can to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposures to our vulnerable residents, such as wearing N95 masks and having visits outdoors wherever possible.

From the kitchen. Our MTHCS kitchen teams in Ouyen and Sea Lake have been busy introducing a new approach that will give residents on special dietary requirement a better food experience. Food moulds (pictured below) are the latest in many improvements we’ve put in place over the past two years after a dietary review of our menus.