Primary Health Services

Occupational Therapists at IDHS take a whole-person approach to support individuals in achieving optimal health and wellbeing through meaningful participation in everyday life. The term occupation refers to the daily activities that shape who we are—those that give life purpose, connect us to others, and allow us to engage with society and culture.

IDHS currently employs two Occupational Therapists who provide services across Inglewood and Boort. Their work spans a diverse range of settings, including:

• Residential Aged Care
• Acute Care
• Transition Care Program
• Community Services, such as:
• Home Care Packages (HCP)
• Community Health Program (CHP)
• Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
• Enhanced Primary Care Plans (EPC/CDMP)

Exclusions:

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• Children under 18 years
• Work Cover
• TAC

Our Occupational Therapy team offers a wide range of assessments and interventions, including:

• Home based functional assessments
• Falls prevention assessment and education
• Equipment prescription and seating assessments
• Cognitive assessments and interventions
• Pressure injury prevention and management
• Home modifications
• Self-management education
• Linking with services and supports

Physiotherapy at IDHS aims to provide a holistic approach with a focus on restoring, maintaining and maximising physical function, movement and wellbeing. Currently IDHS employs two Physiotherapists that work within the service, primarily in a community setting but also provide acute inpatient care, support for the transition care program and residential aged care. 

At IDHS, Physiotherapists work with people across a range of ages, conditions and needs. This includes:

• Assessment and diagnosis of physical conditions involving muscles, joints, bones, nerves, balance and movement.
• Designing and implementing treatment plans which may include manual therapies, exercise prescription, functional training and education.
• Preventing injury, illness, disability and promoting physical activity.
• Providing advice, education, falls prevention, pre and post operative rehabilitation and chronic disease management.
• Group therapy. IDHS currently has a hip and knee group and falls and balance group running which provides a small group environment for therapy but still tailored to specific needs.

To access Physiotherapy services at IDHS, self-referrals and referrals from other health professionals are accepted and then triaged. Please ensure that there is as much information included as practical relating to the condition, so the referral is able to be triaged appropriately. Any further information relating to the condition in the way of imaging results, medical correspondence and past medical history is also preferred but not essential.

We empower people from all walks of life to take control of their health and enjoy their food. Our dietitian service supports individuals to improve their nutritional wellbeing through practical, person-centred care that fits within their lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.

Our qualified dietitian provides tailored nutrition advice through individual appointments or group sessions. We work closely with clients, families, GPs, and the broader care team to ensure coordinated and effective care.

We help people manage a wide range of health conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Cancer-related nutrition concerns
• Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. IBS, intolerances, allergies)
• Unintentional weight loss, particularly in older adults
• Nutrition support for texture-modified diets and enteral feeding
• Wound healing and malnutrition management

Useful information for referrals includes:

• Relevant medical history
• Recent pathology results
• Specialist documentation
• Medical investigations that may impact nutritional care

How to access
Our service is free and accessible, with no referral required, though we recommend discussing your needs with your GP first.

IDHS currently has one accredited Exercise Physiologist working across community, acute inpatient and residential aged care programs. Exercise Physiology provides tailored exercise programs for people with a variety of medical conditions, injuries or disabilities.

These conditions can include cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal issues, respiratory/pulmonary disease and mental health conditions.

Exercise Physiologists focus on improving your physical function and symptom management through movement and exercise to support your overall well-being and quality of life.

Exercise Physiology at IDHS provides one to one care as well as facilitating groups such as:

• Cardiac Rehabilitation: An exercise and education program in a supported and controlled environment for people living with or recovering from heart problems or procedures.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: An exercise and education program in a supported and controlled environment for people living with lung disease. Including safe exercise and education to help people improve quality of life and prevent rehospitalisation.
• Tailored Exercise Physiology Group:  A small group environment for people to exercise in a supervised setting with a program tailored to specific needs.
• Hip and knee group
• Falls and balance group

Medicare management plans are accepted by the health service, along with self-referrals and referrals from other health professionals. Please ensure there is as much information included as possible relating to the health condition and any relevant medical correspondence.

(Paediatric only)

The Royal Flying Doctor Speech Pathologist Service based at IDHS covers both the Loddon and Buloke Shires including the towns of Inglewood, Wedderburn, Dingee, Charlton, Wycheproof, Birchip and Donald.

The service prioritizes the 0–6-year-old population and their families (who have no alternative sources of funding for assessment and intervention) and works predominantly within a child’s natural communication setting of their kindergarten or childcare environment, in addition to offering individual sessions out of Maternal Health Offices.

School-aged assessments can be arranged over the school breaks. Areas of communication targeted include development of emerging play skills, words and phrases, comprehension, sentence and grammar development, storytelling, early literacy and school readiness, stuttering and social skills.

Referrals can be made by families, kindergartens and childcare staff and community agencies.

The service also focuses on health promotion to build capacity of the community to engage in life long communication with the children of our future.

The service is free.  Please note that NDIS is not available at this service.

Mental Health Counselling (all ages)

IDHS Mental Health Counselling service provides confidential and compassionate support for children, young people, and adults aged 6 years and over. We help individuals manage a range of emotional, social, and psychological concerns in a safe and respectful environment.

What we do:
Our Mental Health Clinicians offer evidence-based, person-centred support to assist with issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, and life changes. We work collaboratively with clients to build insight, strengthen coping skills, and enhance overall wellbeing.

What we prioritise:
We prioritise accessibility, inclusion, and client safety. Our team is committed to providing timely, high-quality care that respects individual circumstances, cultural backgrounds, and personal goals.

Our service includes:

• Counselling for children, adolescents, and adults
• Play-based and creative therapies for younger clients
• Solution-focused and talk-based approaches for youth and adults
• Education and strategies to promote mental health and resilience
• Coordination with other health and community services when needed

We are committed to supporting mental wellbeing across all stages of life and helping people build the skills and confidence to live well.

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling

IDHS Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselling service provides confidential and non-judgmental support for people concerned about their own or someone else’s alcohol or drug use. We work with individuals aged 15 years and over to promote health, safety, and positive change.

What we do:
Our counsellors provide evidence-based, person-centred support to help clients explore the impacts of substance use, set personal goals, and develop practical strategies for change. We assist with harm reduction, relapse prevention, and strengthening coping and decision-making skills.

What we prioritise:
We prioritise safety, inclusion, and respect. Our approach is collaborative and flexible — supporting each person’s unique journey, whether the goal is reducing use, achieving abstinence, or improving overall wellbeing.

Our service includes:

• Individual counselling (in-person, phone, or online)

• Support for families and carers

• Education and harm reduction information

• Relapse prevention and recovery planning

• Links to other health, mental health, and community supports

• Culturally safe and inclusive practice

We are committed to supporting individuals and families to make informed choices, strengthen wellbeing, and reduce the harms associated with alcohol and other drug use.

Strength Training & social support group exercise

Strength Training is run by our fully qualified personal trainers on a weekly basis throughout the shire. A variety of classes are available from strength training in Inglewood and Wedderburn to Group Exercise at Tarnagulla, Circuit in Korong Vale, chorography programs such as Step Aerobics and Rips in Inglewood and Water Aerobics throughout the summer period.

Strength Training is a great way to keep your body strong & healthy and consist of a variety of muscle strengthening exercises.  

Each participant begins with a health questionnaire and a basic gym program. As you progress, so do your individual weights program & your strength.

Older adults, in particular, can greatly reap the benefits of strength training including:

• Improved muscle strength & tone
• Weight management
• Prevention & control of health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease & arthritis
• Improved mobility, balance & posture
• Decreased risk of injury
• Improved sleep pattern
• Social connection

To get involved with any of our strength training/ group exercise programs, contact IDHS reception, ph. (03) 5431 7000 for more information.

IDHS prioritises health promotion and community engagement through a holistic view of health, supporting schools, community groups, networking with key partnerships and attending local events. Our work aligns with the Victorian public health and wellbeing plan priorities of increasing active living and healthy eating, reducing harm from tobacco and e-cigarette use, and improving mental wellbeing — with shared goals of tackling climate change and improving health equity. We also focus on preventing all forms of violence and reducing injury, to create safer, healthier communities.

Contact Cindy Gould at cgould@idhs.vic.gov.au for more information.