Bayside Health Regional

24/02/2026

Bayside Health is delighted to support the establishment of Rail Trail Medical, a new GP clinic for the Leongatha community.

The new independent clinic will be located in the Integrated Primary Care Building at Leongatha Memorial Hospital.

Bayside Health Regional Care Group, Chief Executive, Louise Sparkes said, “GP clinics are an essential part of our local community. We look forward to building relationships with the new team at Rail Trail Medical, as we do with other local clinics.”

Leongatha Memorial Hospital has been providing a surge service through the Urgent Care Centre with the former General Practitioners of Leongatha Healthcare since the closure of Leongatha Healthcare.

Ms Sparkes also thanked the Leongatha Memorial Hospital staff who provided extra support through the Urgent Care Centre to provide continued access to care following the closure of Leongatha Healthcare.

“My thanks go to our dedicated staff for their extra work and commitment during this time. Every day they demonstrate that their priority is the health and wellbeing of our community,” she said.

23/02/2026

Attention parents of 2-12 year-olds! You’re invited to join our free 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching parenting program.

The program is designed to help you with your parenting journey and support you with challenging behaviours.

To learn more and to book your spot 👉 basscoasthealth.org.au/parentingsupport

18/02/2026

When you come to see us, Graduate Nurses may be part of the team looking after you. Please join us in welcoming them to our team! 👏

They will work and learn at Leongatha, Korumburra, Wonthaggi and Kooweerup, and the San Remo-based District Nursing service.

They will be supported by experienced clinical teams and educators as they develop their skills, contribute to high-quality care, and help meet the health needs of your community.

To learn more 👉 https://www.basscoasthealth.org.au/news/new-nurses-ready-careers-caring

📷 Graduate Nurses with senior staff at Leongatha, Wonthaggi and Kooweerup hospitals.

17/02/2026

𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 – 𝟏𝟕 𝐅𝐞𝐛 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

An 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 has been issued for parts of Victoria, including our communities.

🚫 A 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐧 has also been declared for these areas today.

Under Extreme conditions, fires can start quickly and spread rapidly.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐨:
• Check the Fire Danger Rating for your area
• Review and follow your Bushfire Survival Plan
• Stay informed and monitor warnings regularly
• Avoid bushfire risk areas
• Leave early if you are at risk

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
Bureau of Meteorology – Fire Weather Warning: https://tinyurl.com/3h36jh2j
CFA – Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans: https://tinyurl.com/ycxpucjb

Please stay safe and check in on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbours.

12/02/2026

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐱 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤!

Think lunchboxes need to be fancy? They really don’t.

In this short video, Kooweerup Hospital dietitian Anthony shares simple, realistic tips to help make lunchboxes:
✔️ Balanced and nourishing
✔️ Easier to manage on busy mornings
✔️ Fun and interesting for kids

From focusing on balance (not perfection) to planning ahead and keeping things simple, small changes can make a big difference.

Watch the video and take away easy tips to make your lunchbox work for you.
For practical ideas and tips on how to plan a nourishing lunchbox, please visit:
www.healthymadetasty.com.au

If you’d like more information about nutritional issues, help to develop meal plans, or guidance for individuals, families, groups and communities toward better health through proper dietary choices, please contact one of our Dietetics services:
📞 𝐊𝐨𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐩 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 – 03 5997 9679
📞 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 – 03 5654 2737
📞 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 – 03 5671 3343

06/02/2026

LEONGATHA | Your local care options

Leongatha Memorial Hospital continues to provide support for the local community following the closure of the Leongatha Healthcare Group’s GP clinic.

Urgent medical care
For urgent, non-life-threatening illness or injury, you can:
• Attend the Urgent Care Centre at Leongatha Memorial Hospital
• Use Virtual Emergency Care via video call, available 24/7
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/services-and-support/virtual-emergency-care
• Call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24, available 24/7
Maternity, urgent care, and surgical services are operating as usual, with additional staffing in place to support current demand.

Medication renewals
Prescription renewals are available online via Instant Scripts:
https://www.instantscripts.com.au

Emergency care
For medical emergencies or life-threatening conditions, call 000

Local GP services
The following local GP clinics have advised they are accepting former Leongatha Healthcare patients:

• Long Street Medical: appointments available from the week commencing 9 February. Patients can also present via the Urgent Care Centre

• Z Medical: appointments available now

• Korumburra Medical: appointments allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call to book

Leongatha Memorial Hospital does not operate or manage the Leongatha Healthcare Group GP clinic. While the closure is outside our control, our focus remains on supporting the community to stay connected to care.

06/02/2026

KOOWEERUP | 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 - 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩!

Is parenting feeling overwhelming? You’re not alone — and we’re here to help.

Our 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 (𝐄𝐏𝐔) has 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 in our 𝐝𝐚𝐲-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 (𝟗–𝟏𝟑 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲), and we’d love to support you and your family on your parenting journey.

We also have a 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟗 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜.

Whether you’re struggling with sleep, feeding, or just need some extra guidance and reassurance, our caring and experienced team is here for you.

📞 Call us on 𝟎𝟑 𝟓𝟗𝟗𝟕 𝟗𝟔𝟕𝟒 for more information or to book your spot.
⏰ Places are limited, so don’t wait too long!

04/02/2026

🌿 A Garden Making a Real Difference 🌿

Recovery takes more than treatment. It takes the right space to rebuild strength, confidence and independence.

Thanks to the generosity of the Phillip Island and San Remo Rotary Club, the Phillip Island Community Hospital is home to a very special space: the Rotary Rehabilitation Garden.

This beautiful garden supports patients recovering from surgery or injury and helps those relearning how to walk safely and regain independence after strokes, falls, and fractures.

Rotary has committed to raising $100,000 over five years to support this vital space…and you can help!

⛳ Charity Golf Day – 6 March
Join them at the Phillip Island Golf Club in Cowes for a fun-filled day of 4 person Ambrose with friends. Enjoy exciting on course surprises, including:
🏌️ Straightest drive prizes
🎲 Games of chance
🎈 A thrilling ball drop
🚗 And your chance to win a brand new car from Wonthaggi Toyota in the Hole-in-One competition!

📅 Bookings are now open:
👉 https://trybooking.com/DIKVC

Come along, have fun, and help support patient recovery closer to home 💙

02/02/2026

KORUMBURRA/LEONGATHA

You don’t have to navigate alone

Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to turn? Support starts right here.

Our Social Workers are here to walk beside you, every step of the way.

Whether you’re facing a personal crisis, supporting someone you love, or trying to make sense of systems like NDIS or My Aged Care, help is closer than you think.

The Social Work team at Bayside Health, supporting Leongatha Memorial Hospital and Korumburra Hospital, works with people across Leongatha, Korumburra and the wider South Gippsland community.

So, what do our Social Workers actually do?

They are problem-solvers, advocates and trusted listeners.
Our team can support you with:
- Coping with grief, trauma or sudden life changes
- Finding and understanding local services and supports
- Carer support and family challenges
- Short-term generalist counselling (non-paediatric)
- Guidance through Aged Care, NDIS and disability services
- Referrals to community programs, including financial hardship, housing and mental health support

Every conversation is grounded in empathy, experience and respect.

And the most important part?
There is no cost.

You don’t have to go through this alone.
Our Social Workers are just a phone call away.

📞 To request a referral, call our Gateway Team on (03) 5654 2737

02/02/2026

BASS COAST | Local measles exposure sites

San Remo and Phillip Island have been added to the list of exposure sites during the current measles outbreak.

Please read the information below to know the symptoms to look for, so you can keep yourself, family and friends safe.

Chief Health Officer Alert – New measles cases in Victoria

Two new measles cases have been reported in Victoria, with two exposure sites identified in the Gippsland region.

If you visited one of the listed exposure sites during the specified dates and times, please monitor for symptoms and follow the advice provided.

View the most up-to-date exposure sites here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria

Symptoms of measles can include:
• Fever
• Cough or runny nose
• Sore or red eyes
• A red rash (usually appears a few days later)

There is an ongoing risk of measles.

If you’re aged 20 to 59, you may have only received one dose of the measles vaccine as a child, and two doses are needed for full protection. Not sure how many measles vaccines you’ve had, it’s safe to get the free Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Free measles vaccinations are available across Gippsland through Council immunisation clinics and participating local pharmacies. Book here: https://lrh.com.au/gippsland-region-public-health-unit/free-measles-vaccines/

You should also consider getting your MMR vaccination if you've recently returned from overseas or interstate travel.

If you’re planning to travel, make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date, including the MMR vaccine. Vaccination is recommended at least two weeks before departure.

***More information:

Chief Health Officer advisory:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/new-measles-case-in-victoria-4?fbclid=IwY2xjawPrVnVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqNHdyRGlEN2RlY21UNTI3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtUspk4cg9YxAnx2T7-sVRRNX8IfL4UdrGPyux-kPsCkPCa2IudU5-W0OJIM_aem_eogPj-VIMjGsQ5EKmZO3lw

Better Health Channel: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/measles?fbclid=IwY2xjawPrVnhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqNHdyRGlEN2RlY21UNTI3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi9h5sAHofxe6V-5wXrHpW6-LrUQMcQ0YziOSd1v7K19bexK2lRWA0AtPpkR_aem_KXJETbPLKsgxOI4lZKKIag

30/01/2026

BASS COAST | The sound of the surf at Williamson’s Beach drifts on a westerly breeze all the way to Wonthaggi Hospital.

That natural connection inspired the name of our new staff accommodation facility: Williamsons Sounds.

Designed with hotel-style comfort, Williamsons Sounds will provide visiting clinicians and specialists with convenient, high-quality accommodation close to the hospital - helping us attract more skilled professionals to care for our community.

Learn more 👉 https://basscoasthealth.org.au/new-developments/staff-accommodation-facility