Barwon Health

Jannine Buenconsejo, Acting Senior Intake Clinician, Aged Psychiatry Services, Barwon Health MHDAS

“I joined Barwon Health in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and have now worked in mental health for more than eight years across acute inpatient care, community case management and aged psychiatry services.

Today, I work as Acting Senior Intake Clinician within Aged Psychiatry Services, supporting older adults experiencing severe or complex mental health conditions. Intake is often the first point of contact for people entering the service, involving triage, crisis support, mental health assessments and coordinating care with families, GPs, hospitals, residential aged care facilities and community services.

What I enjoy most about the role is that no two days are ever the same. Supporting consumers and families during vulnerable periods of their lives, while providing reassurance, advocacy and timely care, can make a meaningful difference.

I also value being part of a passionate multidisciplinary team where everyone brings different skills and experiences while sharing the same goal improving outcomes for older adults in our community.”

🚭 Thinking about quitting smoking or va**ng?

People who smoke or v**e may now be eligible for FREE ni****ne replacement therapy (NRT) and counselling through Quitline (13 78 48).

The offer includes:
✅ Free combination NRT, such as ni****ne patches plus gum, lozenges or mouth spray
✅ A tailored quit plan
✅ Support from trained Quitline counsellors, including ongoing call-back support throughout your quit journey

Barwon Health's Be Smokefree Clinics also provide free, one-on-one support to help people reduce or quit smoking and va**ng.

Learn more:
🔗 Quit: https://bit.ly/3ML82Ku
🔗 Be Smokefree Clinics: https://bit.ly/4v31WdD

**ng

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐮. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐥𝐮 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞.

The flu can be serious, especially for children. Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to get the annual flu vaccine.

Babies and toddlers need special protection from the flu, and the vaccine is just as important as other routine childhood vaccines. It helps protect them from the most common flu strains.

The vaccine protects you, your family, and the community. It also helps reduce the risk of severe illnesses and flu-related complications. The vaccine is free for eligible priority groups.

Free flu vaccine is available for:
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years from your doctor (GP) or local council immunisation service
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
• Adults aged 65 years and older
• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
• Individuals with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe flu.

To arrange a flu vaccination, see your GP or local pharmacist today or make a booking at Barwon Health’s Vaccination Centre in Belmont here: https://bswphu.org.au/

🚭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐍𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨 𝐃𝐚𝐲 - 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥

Today we’re celebrating the young people across Barwon South West who are leading the way in unmasking the appeal of va**ng and smoking.

Through the youth‑driven Va**ng Prevention Project, a place‑based and co‑designed approach brought together education, creativity and community action. More than 20 schools and community organisations contributed to workshops, creative campaigns and youth‑led initiatives tailored to local needs.

The result is a powerful three‑minute film showcasing the collaboration across our region and the impact of young people at the heart of this work.

When Youth Lead, Communities Change.

COGG V**e Prevention https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au

#𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐟𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡
𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐨, 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐮𝐛
“I completed my nursing graduate year at Barwon Health in 2006 and have worked across several medical departments during my 17-year career. For the past 11 years, I’ve worked as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager in Medical Day Stay and was incredibly excited to help transition into the new Medical Day Hub when it opened in August 2025.

The Medical Day Hub supports people needing same-day treatment without an overnight hospital stay, bringing together Medical Day Stay, Hospital in the Home, Early Access Clinic and Transit Lounge services into one space.

My role includes coordinating patients, managing staff and patient flow, administering treatments and infusions, and supporting day-to-day operations. We care for people living with a wide range of conditions including multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, neurological and inflammatory conditions, anaemia and rare genetic disorders.

One of the best parts of my role is seeing familiar faces and building strong connections with patients over many years. I love helping people feel comfortable and cared for during what can often be a stressful time in their lives. Bringing positivity and joy into the workplace is something I value deeply, and I hope it helps brighten the experience for every patient who walks through our doors.”

🦟 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐢 𝐮𝐥𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬

Three local councils experiencing increasing cases of Buruli ulcer have joined forces with the Barwon South West Public Health Unit to raise awareness as infections continue to rise across the region.

Buruli ulcer (also known as Bairnsdale ulcer) is a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The bacteria produce toxins that damage skin tissue, leading to ulceration and skin loss.

In recent years, cases in Victoria have risen significantly, particularly across the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas. The disease is now spreading into new areas, including Melbourne, the Surf Coast and parts of Greater Geelong—especially Belmont, Highton, Newtown, Grovedale, Waurn Ponds, Wandana Heights and Marshall.

Last year saw the highest number of cases on record for the Geelong and Surf Coast region.
While research led by Barwon Health and CSIRO is ongoing, early diagnosis and treatment remains critical to improving patient outcomes.

The City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, and Borough of Queenscliffe - local government areas where cases are increasing - are supporting a regional awareness campaign to encourage early detection and treatment.

Read more about symptoms and how to reduce your risk here https://bswphu.org.au/news/councils-unite-to-address-rising-buruli-ulcer-cases/

PHOTO: Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj, Borough of Queenscliff Mayor Donnie Grigau, Assoc Professor Daniel O'Brien and Surf Coast Shire Deputy Mayor Tony Phelps discuss ulcer cases.

🎙️In this episode of Room 64 | A Palliative Care Podcast, we are joined by Barwon Health MND Palliative Care Shared Care Coordinator Cheryl Spiller.

Cheryl shares insights into her unique role and the importance of collaboration between Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Palliative Care teams across the Barwon South West region, highlighting the value of communication, connection and coordinated care for people living with MND.

Ahead of the “Big Freeze at the G” on 8 June, please take the opportunity to listen to this episode and share through your networks to help keep these important conversations happening. 💙
🎧Listen: https://bit.ly/4dywyMc
Listen to more podcasts here: https://bit.ly/490vMqQ

As part of National Reconciliation Week, Barwon Health is proud to celebrate the next generation of Aboriginal nurses and midwives across our workforce.

This year, four Aboriginal nursing cadets Skye, Skye, Kelsey and Megan and Aboriginal midwifery cadet Piper are participating in the program at Barwon Health while continuing their studies.

The cadetship program provides cadets with the opportunity to work at Barwon Health alongside their university placements, helping build clinical skills, professional experience and strong connections within our health service.

The cadets are supported by Sara Davies, Clinical Placement Coordinator, and Bec Quinn, Aboriginal Workforce Officer.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In”, encourages all Australians to reflect, learn and take action together.

We are proud to support and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and future healthcare leaders across Barwon Health.

Today (26 May) is National Sorry Day.
On this day we take the time to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment and the strength of ‘The Stolen Generation’ - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.

This date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but is commemorated by Australians around the country to reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our nation and our people.

Each year, National Sorry Day is observed the day before the beginning of National Reconciliation Week.
Learn more: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/

“Anything he wanted to do, he did.” 💙
As National Volunteer Week 2026 comes to a close, we honour the incredible legacy of Barwon Health Life Member Doug Bowe.
Doug dedicated 26 years of volunteer service and helped shape what is now our Main Entrance Concierge and Wayfinding Team, ensuring every patient, visitor and family member is greeted with a warm smile and a helping hand.

Recently, Doug’s family returned one of his prestigious volunteer awards to Barwon Health, giving us the opportunity to reflect on his lasting impact. Known for his humour, kindness and ability to make people feel truly valued, Doug’s contribution continues to live on through the hundreds of thousands of people our volunteers support each year.

Doug’s story is a powerful reminder that volunteering changes lives, and that one person’s compassion can leave a legacy for generations.
💙 Thank you, Doug.