Rural Northwest Health

24/12/2025

This festive season please consider those around you - no one likes to breathe in second-hand smoke, so why not enjoy a smoke-free day and leave the ci******es or v**e at home.
Instead, focus on spending time with family and friends while eating delicious foods.

24/12/2025

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to RNH news and events throughout 2025.

Your continued support of, and interaction with, our website, and print and social media pages is very much appreciated and helps us to continue to promote the spectacular work our amazing teams do each and every day, whilst also showcasing the Yarriambiack region as a wonderful place to live and work.

I am now taking a brief break from staring at screens all day - returning on January 12 - and look forward to bringing you even more news and happenings from in, and around, RNH in 2026.

Have a wonderful break,
Mel
RNH Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator.

23/12/2025

Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Evelyn Wong has issued an alert to the Victorian community:

A new measles case has been reported in Victoria in an adult who likely acquired their infection overseas during travel to Bali.
There is an ongoing risk of measles importation in travellers returning from overseas with outbreaks occurring in a number of countries globally. Cases have also recently been reported in New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia.

New public exposure sites have been listed here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CHO-Alert---New-measles-case-in-Victorian---23-December-2025&utm_content=health.vic.gov.au%2Fhealth-alerts%2Fmeasles-public-exposure-sites-victoria&utm_source=comms.health.vic.gov.au

Anyone who has visited a listed exposure site during the dates and times specified should monitor for symptoms of measles and follow the instructions provided.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious illness.
Measles is mainly spread through airborne droplets and contact with respiratory secretions.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others. Two doses of vaccine are required for immunity.

Anyone planning to go overseas should make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Vaccination is recommended at least two weeks before departure. If you were born during or after 1966 and haven’t had two doses, or you don’t know, get vaccinated.

Free MMR vaccine is available under the National Immunisation Program and state-funded program. A Medicare card is not required to get a state-funded vaccine.

Current measles exposure sites in Victoria and advice on ways to stay safe and protect others

23/12/2025

23/12/2025

Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Evelyn Wong has issued a warning to health professionals and the Victorian community regarding counterfeit batches of rabies vaccine Abhayrab®.

The counterfeit vaccine has been circulating in India since November 2023, and people who have received the counterfeit vaccine may not be fully protected against rabies.

Anyone who received Abhayrab®, or an unknown rabies vaccine brand, in India from November 1, 2023 onwards is advised to see their healthcare provider to check if replacement doses are needed.

Clinicians should offer replacement doses with a rabies vaccine registered in Australia.

For more information visit https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/rabies

23/12/2025

Having emigrated from Nepal to Australia in 2022, and later relocating to Warracknabeal in 2024, our new Health Care Worker Kabita is enjoying the change of pace country life offers.
Previously working as a Data Entry Supervisor in Nepal, Kabita found work as a Personal Care Assistant when she moved to Melbourne.
Enjoying working with the elderly so much, she decided to continue in the field when she moved to Warracknabeal with her husband Hari and their baby son.
When she is not at work, Kabita likes to read, travel, and, of course, spend time with her son.
Welcome, Kabita.

23/12/2025

Congratulations to the winners of the Hopetoun Ladies Auxiliary raffle:
1st: Justin Naylor - hamper.
2nd: Marilyn Clancy - Christmas cake.
3rd: Tracie Love - Christmas pudding.
The raffle raised $650.

23/12/2025

Our teams gathered at the Warracknabeal campus this morning to farewell Quality and Risk Manager Odette Richards who, after almost 2 years with RNH, has decided to return to her clinical/nursing roots, having accepted a role as a Director of Nursing.

Executive Manager Quality, Risk and Improvement Abraham Mahachi thanked Odette for her time and for "speaking the language of quality".

Sharing similar sentiments paying tribute to Odette's skills and knowledge, the executive team spoke about how she had highlighted quality and risk management across the organisation, used her clinical background to implement change, created new reporting structure, assisted with grants, and how she is leaving RNH in a better place due to the work she has done.

"We will miss your knowledge but wish you all the best - your new organisation will be lucky to have you," Abe said.

Odette said "quality belongs to everyone" and, while it can be a "difficult team sport" due to, at times, the need for difficult conversations, overall she has enjoyed working at RNH.

"It was a big decision to come here, having not been a manager prior, and I'd like to thank the executive team for supporting me in the role," she said.

"I hit the ground running, going straight into an accreditation with Yarri, however, the overall goal of quality is to ensure that the outcomes are good for both the patients and residents, and RNH."

Having been born at the old Hopetoun hospital, Odette is a familiar face around the region and said she is confident that RNH will continue to grow its "awesome care".

Farewell Odette, and all the best.

22/12/2025

Victoria’s Urgent Care Clinics have now supported one million visits, helping families get the care they need without always having to head to a busy Emergency Department.

Since September 2022, Urgent Care Clinics have opened across Victoria, treating everyday urgent issues like cuts, minor burns, suspected fractures and infections. The kind of things that need care now, but are not always an emergency.

Each clinic is staffed by experienced GPs and nurses, with walk-ins and bookings available. Together, they now support more than 7,500 people every week, keeping care closer to home for families right across Victoria.

In an emergency, always call 000 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Those with non-urgent medical needs should visit their regular GP for everyday care or prescriptions.

To find out more: https://go.vic.gov.au/3MO7hUB

22/12/2025

The Royal Life Saving Society's "Make the Right Call" campaign encourages men to look after their mates and families to keep each other safe when enjoying Australia's beautiful inland waterways.
Tragically, over the last decade, 2,237 males have fatally drowned.
On average, 220 fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, friends drown each year.
This summer please take additional care and look after yourself and your mates in, on, and around the water.

22/12/2025

Let's take a look back on some of the highlights of 2025:
https://youtu.be/6dErfaoWRag

22/12/2025

This holiday season why not consider scheduling some alcohol-free days to give your body a break from the celebrations?
Or perhaps think about alternating between alcohol and water; this will not only help to reduce your alcohol intake but will also help you stay hydrated.