Celebrating local allied health workers
Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) is celebrating its allied health team this week to highlight their important contribution to health services in the region.
Saturday 14 October marks Allied Health Professions Day, providing a chance to stop and show gratitude for the many allied health workers who are fundamental in improving outcomes for hospital patients and in community health.
“MDHS has a multi-disciplinary team of about 40 allied health professionals,” said Merren Petrass, Allied Health Team Leader, Maryborough District Health Service.
“Our team works holistically to provide a broad range of health and wellbeing services to our community in the Central Goldfields and Pyrenees Shire,” said Ms Petrass.
Allied health is an umbrella term for a range of health professionals including dietitians, exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, counsellors, housing and social workers.
These health professionals make up about one third of the health workforce. The team works alongside doctors and nurses to assess, diagnose, prevent and manage a range of health conditions.
“Our allied health team works together to provide patient-centred care in many ways whether that’s through specialised support in the hospital to assist patient recovery, in our community clinics or in our residential aged care facilities,” said Ms Petrass.
“We have physiotherapists and exercise physiologists who offer individual sessions and group exercise classes to improve mobility.
“Our dietitians educate and advise on good nutrition, to patients on the ward and people who access our range of programs.
“Speech pathologists work with local pre-schools and kinders to help toddlers and young children communicate and reach their developmental milestones.
“These are just a few examples of the breadth of work covered by our team and the diverse age range of people who benefit on a daily basis,” said Ms Petrass.
MDHS is also celebrating one year since the Health and Movement Centre moved to High Street Maryborough.
The allied health team offers group exercise and health coaching programs at the centre, with approximately 750 community members benefiting from these services in the last 12 months.
The centre also offers a cancer wellness program to support physical and social wellbeing for people on their cancer journey.
“It’s such a joy to hear we are making a difference in people’s lives,” said Ms Petrass.
“Participants have shared how the program has supported their health and wellbeing and encourages them to keep going.
“I am so proud to come to work each day and see the great impact our allied health team is making on the health of our community.”
For more information or to make an appointment with the MDHS allied health team contact (03) 5461 0333 or visit our dedicated allied health page.
Photo captions:
- Allied Health team yoga session. Back row left to right: Devon, Sandy, Sian, Tammielle. Front row left to right: Karine, Mia, Demi, Yvonne.
- Caitlin, MDHS Speech Pathologist, with the range of fun and engaging toys and games to assist children with speech development.
- The Allied Health team outside the Health and Movement Centre, Maryborough
- Emajun and Jess, MDHS Dietitians helping to prepare smoothies for a local community event.