About Us
Vision Statement:
“Vibrant & Healthy Communities”
GCH, in collaboration with the communities we serve, will provide excellence & leadership in the development & delivery of primary health care & community services. GCH will facilitate the achievement of healthy living for all throughout the Grampians/Wimmera
Philosophy Base:
GCH’s Philosophy is grounded in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (WHO 1986), the Jakarta Convention (WHO 1996) and the Health Development Paradigm now better known as the Social Model of Health, and more recently the Victorian Charter of Human rights and Responsibilities. The process of information, skill development, empowerment, community collaborative ventures, resilience and self-responsibility embedded in a caring framework of non-judgemental acceptance of diversity underpins the GCH approach to both its staff & clients. Management philosophy is loosely based around the Deming Management Philosophy, Social Model of Health for staff, Total Quality Improvement and Facilitatory Management
History:
Grampians Community Health (GCH) formerly Grampians Community Health Centre Inc, has operated since 1986 and provides a multi-disciplinary approach to psychosocial health in line with a Social Model of Health philosophy including the social determinants of health as stated in the Ottawa Charter. GCH is embedded in and operates from a number of sites servicing primarily the local government areas of Northern Grampians Shire, Rural City of Ararat, Pyrenees Shire and Horsham Rural City.
Balgartnie joined GCH in 1996 as a Psychiatric Support Service – it has since broadened its role to encompass rehabilitation and sub regional outreach.
Palm Lodge joined GCH in 2002. Palm Lodge has been in existence since 1976, first as a residential rehabilitation unit for people with a substance abuse problem and more recently as a counselling & health promotion unit for substance abuse, family violence & housing support and gambling problems.
Nexus joined GCH in November 2005. Nexus developed in Horsham to meet a need young people had expressed in 1999 after the closure of another youth project, Banjo’s. It now provides an opportunity for young people in and around the Wimmera to participate in the development of services and recreational activities in a supportive, safe & innovative environment.
In May 2009 GCHC became Grampians Community Health – a company limited by guarantee.
Staff at the Centre work in many areas including: Drug & Alcohol Counselling & Withdrawal services, Social Work, Community Nursing, Community Psychiatric, Youth Work, Supported Accommodation, Family Violence, Community Development, Health Promotion and Education, Palliative Care and complex service delivery for Senior Adults, people with disabilities and their carer’s.
Aims & Objectives:
Grampians Community Health (GCH) formerly Grampians Community Health Centre Inc., is a not for profit Company Limited by Guarantee and operates as a registered community health centre under the Health Services Act 1988 (VIC) as amended. GCH is embedded in and operates from a number of sites servicing primarily but not limited to the local government areas of Northern Grampians Shire, Rural City of Ararat, Pyrenees Shire and Horsham Rural City.
The aim of GCH is to provide coordinated health and community services to the people within the Central Grampians and Wimmera sub regions by:
- Providing direct relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability or helplessness, to the public, thought the direct provision to the community of health and related services
- Ensuring that all members of the community are equally able to access the Company's sites and services, in line with the guiding principles of equality, choice, diversity and non-discrimination.
- Providing clients with a wide range of treatment options and health information to assist them to make responsible decisions about their own health and wellbeing.
- Developing a range of community based health and welfare services and programs based on evaluation of sub-regional needs including obtaining sustainable resources for new programs and existing programs.
- Undertaking regular needs assessment and monitoring of identified priorities for individual clients and whole communities.
- Involving community members in the planning and development of appropriate and flexible services and programs.
- Pursuing quality leading practice with an emphasis on the principles of continuous quality improvement and best practice.
- Resourcing and networking with individuals, including health practitioners, community groups and organisations with the aim of promoting better health outcomes.
- Managing the Company and its available resources both efficiently and effectively to ensure sustainability of the company against a quadruple bottom line of financial, environmental, social and quality/ethical management
- Investing, raising and borrowing funds to purchase lease or acquire real and personal property for all or any of the foregoing purposes.
- Establishing and maintaining a public gift fund and to apply for and do all things necessary to maintain endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient and as an Income Tax Exempt entity or fund, and to obtain Fringe Benefits Tax exemption in accordance with the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
- Raising money to further the aims of the Company and securing sufficient funds for the purposes of the Company.
- Receiving and distributing any funds in a manner that best attains the objects of the Company.
- Maintaining registration as a registered community health centre under the Health Services Act 1988 (Vic) (as amended).
- To do all such things as are incidental or conductive to the attainment of all or any of the objects of the Company.
