Leaders of the Wimmera’s public and health services organisations have come together to plan the region’s response the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee held its first meeting on Sunday night to discuss the Wimmera’s readiness to respond to the most significant modern challenge the district has faced.
The group is made up of Horsham Rural City Council, Wimmera Health Care Group, Lister House, Uniting Wimmera, Grampians Community Health, Christian Emergency Food Centre, Centre for Participation, Schools, Ambulance Victoria, CFA, Victoria Police, Red Cross, Department of Health and Human Services, Wimmera Primary Care Partnership and Salvation Army.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy and Cr John Robinson (Chair of the Municipal Emergency Management Committee) also attended.
Mayor Mark Radford said local services wanted to ensure that vulnerable members of the community were well cared for during these unprecedented times.
“Items discussed included how agencies will work together, the current supports available for the community and what gaps need to be filled,” Cr Radford said.
“It was reassuring to know that each agency had enacted a plan to respond.
“It is important that the community knows that community and health services are working together to ensure the community is cared for over the coming weeks and months,” he said.
The agencies will continue to meet using video conferencing over the coming weeks and months.
Lister House’s Amanda Wilson said co-ordination was vital because community support agencies had never been exposed to disruption on this scale.
“It was great to bring together all the key players locally to get an understanding of where we are at and identify how we can best support our community,” Ms Wilson said.
Lister House patients can access COVID-19 information by contacting Lister House on 5382 0011 or via the website.
Uniting Wimmera is providing a 1800 number for community members to access information about local supports. The number is: 1800 195 114.
Information can be also be obtained by contacting Council as follows:
