Murray PHN

24/04/2026

🏳️‍🌈 Seeking LGBTIQA+ people who live and work in the Murray PHN region 🌈
To help shape inclusive health service provision across the region, we're working with the Australian Research Centre in S*x, Health and Society and Rainbow Health Australia at La Trobe University and Thorne Harbour Country to conduct a health needs analysis for LGBTIQA+ communities in rural Victoria.
LGBTIQA+ community members and allies are invited to attend a small community meeting so we can hear about your experiences of accessing primary healthcare in your area. If you’re interested in taking part, please register for a session:
⭐ SHEPPARTON (in-person, Mon 4 May 5.30-7.30pm): https://thorneharbour.org/news-events/calendar-events/shepparton-lgbtiqa-health-needs-assessment-workshop/
⭐ BENDIGO (in-person, Tue 5 May 5.30-7.30pm): https://thorneharbour.org/news-events/calendar-events/bendigo-lgbtiqa-health-needs-assessment-workshop/
⭐ WANGARATTA and MILDURA (online, Thurs 14 May 12-1pm): email r.grant@latrobe.edu.au to register.
For more information, contact Dr Ruby Grant on r.grant@latrobe.edu.au
All consultation participants will receive a gift card as a thank you. These will be mailed to home addresses after the consultation.

23/04/2026

Murray PHN is supporting The Good2Go project to run a series of *free workshops to help individuals who are facing a life-changing illness and those who support them to navigate care with confidence.

The first workshop is taking place in Beechworth on Saturday 9 May, followed by Wangaratta (14 May), Albury (16 June), Chiltern (19 June) and Yackandandah - online (30 June). To register, visit: https://collections.humanitix.com/hope-for-the-best-plan-for-the-rest-workshops

*A workbook accompanies the workshop, which is available to purchase on the day (cash only) for a discounted rate of $10 (+$5 if attending online. RRP $35).

For palliative care information and resources to help people to live and die well, visit our webpage: https://murrayphn.org.au/community/palliative-care/

15/04/2026

Through regular assessments, tailored resources and training, Murray PHN supports local providers to measure and improve how they use digital tools, data and systems to deliver safe, connected and efficient care.

The 2026 Digital Health Maturity Assessment is now open and not only helps practices to gain insights into what’s working well and where improvements can be made but Murray PHN to tailor resources and support where it's needed most.

Allied health, community pharmacy and residential aged care homes will have received an email from notifications@kaleidoscope.care with a link to complete the assessment via a survey at the end of March, with general practice to receive their invites at the end of April.

If you haven’t received or can’t locate the email, need help filling it in or have questions, contact our team at digitalhealth@murrayphn.org.au

Alternatively, learn more via our website: https://murrayphn.org.au/focus-areas/digital-health/digital-health-maturity-assessments/

15/04/2026

Do you know a rural health professional who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for a 2026 Victorian Rural Health Award this week!

With 14 award categories, including a new Outstanding Contribution to Rural Mental Health Award, this is your chance to thank and celebrate the people who make a difference to the health and wellbeing of our local communities.

Submit your nomination here: https://bit.ly/3MXYkJ5 Applications close at midnight this Sunday 19 April.

09/04/2026

We're seeking applications from suitably skilled people who are interested in joining our Clinical Advisory Council or one of our Community Advisory Councils.
Advisory member expertise, local knowledge and connections to networks provide strategic value to Murray PHN by contributing insight into place-based, practice and system-level improvements.
➡️ We encourage applications for our Clinical Advisory Council from clinicians working in general practice, pharmacy and allied or community health, and those living in the North East, North West and Goulburn Valley regions.
For our Community Advisory Councils, we are particularly interested in hearing from people who:
➡️ Central Victoria - live north of Bendigo, and those who have interest, experience or connections in alcohol and other drugs, LGBTIQA+ diverse communities, youth or child health.
➡️ Goulburn Valley - have interest, experience or connections in alcohol and other drugs, LGBTIQA+ diverse communities, youth or child health, after hours medical care, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and carers.
➡️ North East - live east of Albury/Wodonga and in the areas of Bright and Mansfield who have interest, experience or connections in alcohol and other drugs, health workforce and carers.
➡️ North West - live south of Mildura and in the areas of Swan Hill, Ouyen and Sea Lake and who have interest, experience or connections in after-hours medical care and digital health.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://murrayphn.org.au/news/apply-to-join-our-advisory-councils/

02/04/2026

Murray PHN is providing four scholarships for rural palliative and primary care workers (including aged care, disability services, allied health, nursing, medicine or care roles related to end-of-life care) to attend this year's PCV Summit 2026 on Friday 15 May in Naarm, Melbourne.

The theme of this year’s summit is ‘Every Voice Counts: Collaborative approaches to palliative care’ and includes dedicated sessions on improving access and quality of care for people with disability, dementia and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTIQA+ communities.

Visit our website for full details and to apply, noting scholarships will be awarded on a first eligible, first assessed basis: https://murrayphn.org.au/news/palliative-care-workforce-development-opportunity/

02/04/2026

These holidays, if you need urgent care but it’s not a life-threatening emergency, you will likely be seen faster at an Urgent Care Clinic or the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.

To learn more about these and other options available after hours, visit our webpage: https://murrayphn.org.au/health-professionals/after-hours-and-urgent-care/

Unexpected injuries and illnesses can be a serious setback to holidays and weekend plans.

If you have something that can’t wait for a regular GP appointment but doesn’t need a trip to the hospital, that’s a case for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

Urgent care is when you have an illness or injury that needs medical attention the same day, but isn’t life threatening.

Things that may need urgent medical care include:
✅ minor burns and infections
✅ urinary tract infections (UTIs)
✅ insect bites and rashes
✅ sports injuries
✅ respiratory illness
✅ gastro.

For more information, see the comments below. 👇🏼

31/03/2026

For many gender diverse people, a lack of representation, role models and community can be isolating and make it difficult to feel proud in their identities. Trans Day of Visibility is a day to acknowledge and celebrate members of the transgender community. For allies, it's a reminder to listen, learn, uplift and advocate. Being an ally means that you're supporting transgender people and gender diversity in all forms.
Happy Trans Day of Visibility! 🏳️‍⚧️
For more information, visit: https://www.tgv.org.au/
Transgender Victoria

30/03/2026

Peer workers in mental health and su***de prevention are invited to be part of the first national peer workforce census 📊

Peer support workers draw on their own lived experience of illness and recovery to provide authentic engagement and support for people accessing healthcare.

The census aims to build a clearer picture of this workforce and highlight what support people need in their roles.

The 15-minute survey is open until 18 April 2026 and can be completed here: https://srcentre.com.au/project-lived-experience-peer-workforce-census/

The census is being led by the Social Research Centre and The Australian Centre for Social Innovation on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

The first-ever National Mental Health and Su***de Prevention Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Census. The Lived Experience (Peer) workforce plays a vital role in mental health and su***de prevention across Australia. People in these roles bring knowledge and expertise shaped by personal experience,...

26/03/2026

Today is Thank Your Pharmacist Day, a day that acknowledges the vital work pharmacists do in community, hospitals, aged care homes and general practices.

Whether it’s delivering accessible care for illnesses, administering vaccinations, championing the safe use of medicines, or helping patients manage chronic conditions, pharmacists are an increasingly critical part of the healthcare team.

Murray PHN has been funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to support the delivery of the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) initiative that aims to improve the safety and quality of medication management in residential aged care homes.

Ongoing funding is available for aged care homes to have a pharmacist as part of their clinical care team, engaged either through a local community pharmacy or directly employed by the home.

Interested pharmacists and community pharmacies are also encouraged to get involved.

For more information about ACOP, visit our webpage: https://murrayphn.org.au/focus-areas/healthy-ageing-and-aged-care/aged-care-on-site-pharmacist-program/

24/03/2026

Mildura community members (aged 16 years and older) and health professionals - attend upcoming applied su***de intervention skills training (ASIST) to gain the confidence, knowledge and practical tools to intervene when it matters most.

When and where: Thursday 23 and Friday 24 April 2026, from 8.30am to 4.30pm both days at Mildura Sports Precinct.

ASIST is founded on the principle that everyone can make a difference in preventing su***de. The more people who have su***de intervention training, the more likely it is they will be able to identify someone at risk and intervene to keep them safe.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/applied-su***de-intervention-skills-training-asist-mildura-tickets-1977351956932?aff=oddtdtcreator

Note: The event is fully catered, and participants must attend both days.