Omeo District Health Annual Report 2005/06

Board Chair & Chief Executive Officer’s Report
We take great pleasure in presenting to you
this, the 114 th Annual Report of Omeo District
Health.
In December 2005, Mr Daniel Andrews,
Parliamentary Secretary for Health, officially
opened the new Omeo District Health
integrated health care facility. The day was a
wonderful success and marked the
culmination of many years of tireless work by
the Board, staff and the community.
With this great event behind us, ODH has
continued in its determination to provide
effective and efficient health care services to
the community under the ODH Strategic
Plan, 2003 to 2011.
The strategic directions are to:-
• Enhance the services available to the
community
• Deliver quality, accessible and
coordinated care
• Improve the organisations infrastructure
• Engage and educate the community in the
work of the organisation and on
improving their own health and wellbeing
• Ensure the best use of available resources.
Enhancing the Services Available to the
Community
Over the past twelve months ODH has
worked to ensure that existing funded
services are provided to meet the needs of the
community. Strong commitment and
investment in the recruitment and retention
strategies of ODH has ensured that services
continue to be provided at a satisfactory level
of community need.
New innovations in services include the full
management of the Omeo Medical Centre and
the establishment of a General Practitioner
service model that provides the community
with choice of doctor as well as providing the
clinicians with an acceptable level of work /
life balance. The introduction of a Speech
Therapy service into the local regions schools
has had a significant impact on improved
childhood, development and the acquisition
of funding to develop future models of
childcare service in the region. ODH also was
fortunate to receive funding under the Rural
Private Access program for the
commencement of Audiology (hearing
testing) services.
We welcome all new staff members to our
service.
ODH has continued to pursue appropriate
funding levels for its aged and acute care
services through close association with both
State and Commonwealth funding bodies.
There has been significant growth in demand
for aged care services over the year
corresponding with the opening of our new
‘Lewington House’ Aged care facility. Aged
care occupancy has averaged 100% with a
significant waiting list developed as a result
of this new facility.
Strong demand for both public and private
dental services has resulted in an increase in
service delivery to six days per month.
With support from the Department of Human
Services, a review of funding levels has been
completed in March 2006. The review will
receive ratification and endorsement from
both DHS and the ODH Board for the year
commencing 2006/2007.
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