Health Complaints Commissioner resolve complaints about healthcare and the handling of health information in Victoria. They can also investigate matters and review complaints data to help health service providers improve the quality of their service. This service is independent and impartial.
There are many organisations set up to support people impacted by specific illnesses. If what you are looking for is not listed, use your search engine and be mindful to look for reputable websites rather than those offering cures or treatment with no scientific evidence. Contact Bass Coast Therapy if you can’t find what you are looking for and we will do our best to help you.
The Brain Foundation is a nationally registered charity dedicated to funding world-class research Australia-wide into neurological disorders, brain disease and brain injuries.
Motor Neurone Disease Victoria
Additional health related resources
Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is a routine part of a person’s health care. When a person’s values are discussed openly, their healthcare preferences can be respected at a time when they cannot voice their decisions. Visit our local health service, Bass Coast Health to find more information about Advanced Care Planning. Making an Advanced Care Plan can reduce the burden of decision making during crisis situations and can provide a clearer understanding of your wishes for your family and friends. Above all, Advance Care Planning allows your voice to be heard when you are unable to speak for yourself.
Croakey is a social journalism project that enables debate and investigations of health issues and policy. We connect, collaborate, and evolve.
Donatelife is an Australian Government initiative to help raise awareness, provide information and increase organ and tissue donation across Australia. If you’re looking for information and resources about organ and tissue donation and transplantation, start your search here for some of the great resources we have available.
Good life, good death, good grief is a Scottish based alliance that promote community involvement and raise public awareness in ways of dealing with death, dying and bereavement. The resources section is excellent.
Palliative Care Victoria is the peak body representing palliative care providers, consumers and their families and those with an interest in palliative care in Victoria. They provide many resources and information on palliative care, symptom management and have useful information brochures for people living with a life-threatening illness and their families and carers.
Patient Opinion is about honest and meaningful conversations between patients and health services. We believe that your story can help make health services better.
Powers of Attorney are legal documents that let someone appoint another person who can make decisions for them or support them to make and give effect to their own decisions. Powers of attorney give choice and control and are recommended for every person over 18 years.
Ranjana Srivastava is an oncologist, award-winning author and columnist for The Guardian. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her work on doctor-patient communication.
Scar Stories Through creative initiatives we aim to raise awareness about young adult cancer; raise funds for specialty care for the 18-35 year group; and help these young people come to terms with what most people keep hidden following cancer treatment – the physical scars that remind them of a grim, painful experience – and see them in a new light, one that is empowering and beautiful.
Synapse seeks to focus both government and public support to realise funding for the development of highly specialist services in the areas of accommodation, education and training for people impacted by brain injury.
Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria provides support, information and resources to individuals suffering from or affected by anxiety, depression, and related issues.
ACSO provides an Intake and Referral Service across regional Victoria to assist people experiencing mental health, alcohol and drugs issues to find the most appropriate service to meet their needs. Call 1300 022 760 (1300 0ACSO0) Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm
Directline provides a 24-hour telephone counselling, information and referral service for anyone in Victoria wishing to discuss an alcohol or drug-related issue.
Lives of Substance aims to support people who consider themselves to have an alcohol or other drug addiction, dependence or habit, and second, it aims to inform the public by sharing personal stories of these experiences.
SHARC (Self Help Addiction Recovery) promotes self-help approaches to recovery from severe alcohol and drug related issues.
https://www.triplezero.gov.au for an emergency, call 000
1800 RESPECT https://www.1800respect.org.au is a 24 hour confidential information, counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Latrobe Regional Health Community Mental Health Services provide services to people across Gippsland impacted by mental illness. Services include assessment, treatment, planning and case management. Call Mental Health Triage Service on ph: 1300 363 322
Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and counselling. The website also contains excellent resources and fact sheets about a range of issues. Ph: 13 11 14
Community Houses offer a welcoming place for people to meet, develop skills and together with other members of the community, find solutions to the challenges facing us all. They provide a wide range of programs, classes and activities for local residents. Follow the links below to find out what is happening in your local area.
Mannagum Community House, Foster
Phillip Island community and Learning Centre
headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.
Kids Help Line is a 24 free and confidential counselling service for young Aussies (ages 5-25). We connect with kids on the phone, via email and in live WebChat. Kids reach out to our qualified counsellors because they know we’re here to help.
Latrobe Health Service Child and Youth Mental Health Service is a free community-based program for children, young people and their families or carers who may need support for serious emotional and behavioural disturbances.
Love: the good, the bad and the ugly gives you information and advice from the personal experiences of other young people who have been there… people who have experienced ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’.
Reach Out is an online mental health organization for young people and their parents. Providing practical support, tools and tips for helping young people get through anything from everyday issues to tough times.
There is no such things as a Silly Question
CanTeen Having cancer in your life can really mess things up. CanTeen understands that cancer affects everything, from how you feel and think to your relationships and stuff like education, work and finances.
Chronic Illness Peer Support ChIPS is a vibrant peer support program for young people, led by young people, which offers a wide range of opportunities for members who are aged 12-25 and living with a primary diagnosis of a chronic illness. This program is available to people living in both rural and metropolitan locations.
Heartkids is the compass to help navigate the lifetime journey of the 64,000 Australian children, teens and adults affected by congenital/childhood heart disease. Our aim is to help them -and their families – to lead the most fulfilling life possible and to reach their personal goals. We are the voice for all people impacted by congenital/childhood heart disease – the largest cause of infant death in Australia.
Livewire is an online community designed just for young people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability, and their families. It is a safe online space where members can connect and share experiences with others who understand what they are going through.
Young Carers is an information and support service for younger carers. Being a carer can be pretty demanding. If you’re under 25, and looking after someone in your family or a friend, this is a specific resource for you.
Carers Victoria Carers provide care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is an older person with care needs.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing difficulties in accessing the services and support they need, it might be helpful to consider engaging some independent advocacy service.
DARU- Disability Advocacy Resource Unit
is unique in Australia as a dedicated resource unit funded to work with disability advocacy organisations to promote and protect the rights of people with disability.
Elder Elder Rights Advocacy promotes and upholds the rights of older people receiving aged care services.
Our vision is to be the key provider of quality aged care advice and advocacy.
Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc provides an individual advocacy service to people with a disability, as well as advice when appropriate for carers and family members of people who have a disability.
The Office of the Public Advocate provides services to protect and promote the rights, interests and dignity of the people with disability (specifically intellectual impairment, mental disorder, brain injury or dementia) living in Victoria.
WIRE is a free information and referral service for women in Victoria