Statements

Ballarat Community Health (BCH) understands that children and young people can be especially vulnerable and may face risks of harm. At BCH we consider children and young people to be someone under the age of 18, in accordance with Victorian legislation.

We also know that discrimination, income, education, access to healthcare, and social support, collectively referred to as the social determinants of health, can significantly impact a person’s health outcomes and overall quality of life.

At Ballarat Community Health (BCH), our focus is to sustain healthy communities through the provision of accessible, affordable and quality health and wellbeing services. The healthiest communities are the ones where everyone is included and treated with respect. At BCH we know that discrimination, income, education, access to healthcare, and social support (collectively referred to as the social determinants of health) can significantly impact a person’s health outcomes and their overall quality of life.

BCH is proud to have been awarded Rainbow Tick accreditation in 2017 and strives to continue to provide services to the LGBTIQA+ community that are responsive, appropriate, safe and inclusive. Thiscommitment has been demonstrated through a number of existing initiatives, including the establishment of a Trans and Gender Diverse Clinic. BCH is a committed ally and advocate, shining a light on specific challenges and opportunities, and amplifying community voices.

At Ballarat Community Health (BCH) gender equality is a fundamental human right and that everyone deserves equal opportunities, regardless of their gender identity. The principle of gender equity recognises that there are inherent inequalities across societies, including workplaces, and that processes and efforts to redress these need to be commonplace.

In the spirit of reconciliation and self-determination, this Statement of Commitment is our pledge to work in partnership with Aboriginal community controlled health organisations and the Traditional Custodians of the Lands where we provide services – the Wadawurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Djab Wurrung, Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples – to support the Korin Korin Balit-Djak1 vision for self-determining, healthy and safe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities in Victoria.

Ballarat Community Health strongly supports a person’s right to accurate, unbiased sexual and reproductive health information – including options counselling – to support their informed decision-making and health and wellbeing.

Ballarat Community Health works in collaboration with partners across the Grampians LoddonMallee to improve health outcomes for people who use drugs. Anyone who consumes any illicitlymanufactured pill puts themselves at risk of adverse consequences, including death. Advocating forpill testing is a natural extension of Ballarat Community Health’s harm reduction philosophy.

Ballarat Community Health strongly supports a person’s right to accurate, unbiased sexual and reproductive health information – including options counselling – to support their informed decision-making and health and wellbeing.

Ballarat Community Health (BCH) supports Voice, Treaty and Truth, called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, as important first steps in Australia’s reconciliation journey towards a brighter, more equitable future.

Ballarat Community Health is the lead agency for Orticare Pharmacotherapy Network. Orticareworks closely with partners in primary care, community health and alcohol and drugs treatment todeliver improved access to pharmacotherapy across the Grampians and Loddon Mallee regions – ageographic area covering more than a third of the state.

Ballarat Community Health (BCH) recognises that gambling harm impacts many within ourcommunity and is a significant cause of inequality and hardship. Relationship breakdown, stress, depression, family violence, child neglect, crime, suicidal thoughts and suicide are some of the impacts of gambling.

Ballarat Community Health (BCH) is a health and community services provider, providing front line health care services, as well as supporting public health strategies to manage the COVID 19 global health pandemic. BCH will continue to advocate and promote vaccination as a vital measure in keeping the community safe.

Ballarat Community Health works in partnership with the community to create opportunities and supportive environments which empower people to achieve the best possible health and wellbeing.

Ballarat Community Health’s role is to advocate for restrictions on the advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, and to support relevant campaigns from networks and organisations such as Parents’ Voice, Diabetes Victoria, Cancer Council Australia, VicHealth and YMCA Victoria.

Ballarat Community Health is lead agency for Orticare Pharmacotherapy Network. We work closely with our partners in primary care, community health and alcohol and drugs treatment to deliver improved access to pharmacotherapy across the Grampians and Loddon Mallee regions – a geographic area covering more than a third of the state.

Across our region there is currently a significant commitment to action and a growing groundswell of interest to improve health outcomes for our communities. In 2017, the Central Highlands Regional Partnership funded the Prevention Lab to strengthen obesity prevention effort in the Central Highlands of Victoria and identify and act on key opportunities and leverage points for action. Within this project, BCH are taking a lead on exploring opportunities to advocate to all levels of Government for regulatory changes to make it easier for people in Central Highlands to make healthy food choices.

In December 2007 the Council of Australian Governments made a commitment to Close the Gap in health, educational and employment outcomes between Aboriginal Peoples and the rest of the Australian community.

BCH supports actions and works in partnership with Aboriginal community controlled organisations and Aboriginal Peoples and Communities in accordance with our organisation’s vision and mission to support communities to achieve the best possible health and wellbeing and the vision of Korin-Korin Balit- Djak of self-determining, health and safe Aboriginal Peoples and Communities.

Ballarat Community Health has a strong focus on illness prevention and health promotion. Our mission is to create opportunities and supportive environments which empower people to develop optimal health and wellbeing. This includes working with individuals, schools, workplaces and the broader community to advocate for, influence and promote healthy eating habits.

Work needs to be done on many fronts, in a comprehensive and coordinated way, to get people eating a better-quality diet, which will help address issues such as obesity and diet-related chronic diseases.