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Barwon Health to host health worker family violence forum

Thursday, 22 August 2019

Barwon Health will host a Family Violence Referral Pathways Forum for healthcare workers in Geelong on 26 September. 

Dr Sally Cockburn (aka Dr Feelgood) will host a panel of representatives from local and regional support services, including The Orange Door, Victoria Police, Barwon Community Legal Service and Bethany. The panel will explore a case study from initial presentation at a health service through to accessing family violence supports.

The health sector is a critical entry point for identifying people affected by family violence, providing medical care and a pathway to specialist support and assistance. 

Barwon Health is currently rolling out of the the Strengthening Health Service Response to Family Violence (SHRFV) initiative in collaboration with regional partners, Lorne, Otway, Colac and Hesse h​ealth servi​ces. 

This initiative aims to 
  1.  Increase the supports available for employees health services who are experiencing family violence an​d;
  2.  Improve how clinicians identify, respond to and support consumers impacted by family violence.

Barwon Health's Director of Clinical Support Services David Meade said people experiencing family violence often first disclose to health professionals.

"Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and others working in a healthcare setting are uniquely placed to help people affected by family violence  seek the safety and support they require, so its pivotal that we are capable of responding appropriately" he said.

Click here to RSVP.