Alexandra District Health

21/12/2025

Please note: Reception and Community Health Services will be taking a well-deserved break from 24 December to 5 January. There is no change to Urgent Care services during this time. Our doctors and nurses will continue to work tirelessly to care for patients with urgent medical needs.

19/12/2025

Your mental health is especially important during the festive season because the holidays, despite being joyful for many, can also bring extra stress, pressure, and emotional challenges. Here are the key reasons why it matters.

18/12/2025

Staying Safe on Extreme Heat Days ☀️
Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for older people, young children, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions. You can help protect yourself and others by:

💧 Stay hydrated – drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty
🧢 Keep cool – stay indoors where possible, use air-conditioning or fans, and wear light, loose clothing
🕶️ Avoid peak heat – limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day
🏠 Check on others – look out for family, neighbours, and vulnerable community members
🚗 Never leave children or pets in cars – even for a short time

If you or someone else feels unwell with heat stress or heat exhaustion, seek medical advice promptly.
Stay cool, stay safe, and look after one another.

16/12/2025

🤩Celebrating Our Dedicated Team 🎉
Each year at our staff Christmas lunch, we take a moment to proudly honour the outstanding dedication and service of team members reaching milestone years. This year we thank the following staff members.
10 Years of Service
• Jennifer Wood, Psychologist
15 Years of Service
• Natasha Bowater, Director of Quality and Risk
• Karen Bates, Intake Officer
• Anne Marie-Ellis, District Nurse
• Lynette Bennetts, Support Services
25 Years of Service
• Angela Warren-Smith, Enrolled Nurse
• Heidi Hunter, Registered Nurse
Thank you for your continued commitment to our community. Your dedication, professionalism, and care make an enormous difference to the people we treat every day. We are sincerely grateful for the time, expertise, and passion you bring to your roles, and we are proud to have you as part of our team.

15/12/2025

If the tragic incident in Bondi is having an impact on you or someone you know, there are services available to help and support.

Talk to your doctor or mental health professional about what you are experiencing or talk to the following support services:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Griefline: 1300 845 745
Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
Partners in Wellbeing: 1300 375 330
Yarning Safe ‘N’ Strong: 1800 959 563

It is normal to have strong reactions following a distressing or frightening event, but there are things you can do to cope with and recover from trauma.

For more information, visit:
https://go.vic.gov.au/4q2YEE2

15/12/2025

The events in Bondi have deeply affected us all.
We extend our heartfelt thoughts to the Bondi community, the Jewish community, the people of New South Wales, and all those impacted by this tragic incident. We acknowledge the courage of those who acted to protect others, and the dedication of emergency responders and health professionals who worked tirelessly to care for the injured.
We stand together in solidarity during this difficult time.

13/12/2025

🚨Breaking news‼️
The Grinch has presented to urgent care. You see, this year the Grinch had a brilliantly terrible plan.
He climbed onto a rooftop in Alexandra Monday night, ready to sn**ch Christmas lights, pinch tinsel, and ruin the festive cheer. But one wobbly step, one slippery tile… and THUD!
Down he went, right off the roof and straight into trouble. With a sore leg and arm, a bruised ego, and a strand of Christmas lights wrapped around him, the Grinch was whisked to ADH.
Nurse Hayley and Nurse Bree carefully wrapped his broken leg in plaster, chatting gently as if he wasn’t the most troublesome Christmas thief in town. Nurse Jan handed him a warm cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows, and the Grinch felt something strange…
Was it the cocoa?
Was it the kindness?
Was his heart…warming?
Surrounded by care, compassion, and the true spirit of Christmas, the Grinch realised something important: You can’t steal Christmas. But you can be welcomed into it.
So now he sits in his wheelchair, plastered arm and leg at the Alexandra Christmas Tree Festival. Wrapped in the same Christmas lights he tried to steal. Not as a thief, but as a reminder that kindness can soften even the grumpiest heart. Make sure to see him this year while he heals during the festive season at the town hall.

11/12/2025

🌟 Community Spotlight: Elvie 🌟
This week, we’re shining a light on someone very special to ADH — Elvie.
Elvie first joined Alexandra District Hospital in the 1950s as a Nurse’s Aide, working here for four years before continuing her career in Melbourne hospitals. Decades later, her connection to ADH remains as strong as ever.
Earlier this year, Elvie mentioned she’d love to contribute to raising funds for the hospital and she knew exactly how she wanted to do it. With her love of crafting, she began making adorable Easter chickens, starting with bright yellow ones before expanding into all different colours. 50 in total! They were an instant hit, perfectly sized to fit over a medium Easter egg. She’s already made another 50 colourful chickens ready for next Easter! 🐣
Elvie then decided to create teddies, and her creativity took off. She has now lovingly handmade 110 teddies, including a special “100” teddy (pictured) that staff encouraged her to keep as a treasured milestone. 🐻
Elvie says she’s loved seeing the joy on people’s faces when they see and buy her creations. 🥰
Thanks to her incredible effort, she’s already raised over $500 for ADH.
We are so grateful for Elvie’s generosity, talent, and ongoing dedication to our community.
✨ Thank you, Elvie. Your heart and hands make a real difference. ✨

10/12/2025

Alexandra District Health and Eastern Health are exploring a voluntary amalgamation to strengthen local healthcare now and into the future.

The purpose of the engagement program was to understand community views about how Alexandra District Health and Eastern Health could best meet future health needs of the communities they serve. The engagement included seeking both staff and community’s feedback on the possible benefits and challenges of voluntary amalgamation to better meet the health needs of both catchment areas.

As part of our commitment to transparency, we wanted to provide a high-level summary of the key themes raised during engagement. These themes reflect the feedback received from staff across both health services, stakeholders and community members – through social media, stakeholder meetings, the 16 Tea Talk sessions, the engagement survey, the feedback@connectingcare.net inbox, and all submissions received between 6 and 21 November. The survey results received from the Murrindindi Shire Council on 1 December have also been taken into account.

You can view the summary of staff, community and stakeholder themes at www.connectingcare.net.

We would like to thank everyone for their participation and the feedback provided to our exploration of a voluntary amalgamation and welcome further feedback to feedback@connectingcare.net.

03/12/2025

03/12/2025

Thanks for having us this morning in studio!

03/12/2025

If you haven’t yet attended one of these amazing, informative and free sessions, there are still 3 opportunities left.
📍 Eildon – Thursday 4 December 2025
Time: 9:30am – 11am
Where: Central Eildon, down the main street
Free drop-in session (Alpine Outreach Van)
📍 Kinglake – Thursday 4 December 2025
Time: 2pm – 3:30pm
Where: Corner of Aitken Cres & Kinglake Rd, opposite The Nook
Free drop-in session (Alpine Outreach Van)
📍 Yea – Friday 5 December 2025
Time: 9am – 12pm
Where: Yea Cattle Sale at Yea Saleyards, 1 Flat Lead Lane, Yea
Format: Free drop-in session
Service providers:
Dementia Australia
LiveUp
COTA Victoria
Senior Rights Victoria