Introduction to Bellarine Community Health

Bellarine Community Health (BCH) is a declared Community Health Service under the Health Services Act 1988. BCH has progressively developed as a significant multifaceted primary care service. Formed in 1992 from the amalgamation of the Drysdale, Portarlington, Ocean Grove and Queenscliff community health services, BCH has continued to expand, as service needs and delivery development opportunities have been identified. BCH is a major provider of community based primary health and aged residential care services on the Bellarine Peninsula. The State funded primary care services are provided through four community health centres, a shopfront in one township and in people's homes. The residential care services are provided through two aged care facilities, with a total of 100 low care beds (including 20 which are Dementia Specific). BCH also provides accommodation through 16 independent living units.

A strength of BCH has always been a focus on community participation at all levels, resulting in an organization which has set the strategic directions of the Service to meet changing needs and demands. There is a strong membership base of over 1100, which increases on an annual basis and has a strong volunteer component.

The Bellarine Peninsula with its urban/rural character and its range of communities presents a planning challenge. The incorporation of residential aged care within the aegis of the BCH adds a further dimension for service planning.

The directions are based around the four service themes of; improving health status, rehabilitation, maintenance of function and well-being. A 'whole of community approach' is the principle that underpins the objectives to achieve the strategic directions.

BCH target groups

BCH operates by the following philosophy regarding targeting of services: BCH offers a service which everyone in the community may need at sometime. At present the people who mainly use our services include:

• Individuals and families eligible for Home and Community Care (HACC) home nursing, adult day activities and physiotherapy services
• Individuals and families requiring nursing, allied health, maternal and child health, family counselling and dental services
• Individuals and families who can benefit from health promotion/education activities
• Individuals requiring low care residential services (although some residents are classified at a high' RCS level)
• Community members who require primary care GP services through private fee for service.

BCH catchment area

BCH catchment area spans two local government areas, which include the Borough of Queenscliffe and eastern part of the City of Greater Geelong (COGG). There are however exceptions to this, for example individuals outside this area do move to the BCH aged care facilities (if there are family members who are the primary carers already living in the area), and clients who use the dental services include people who live outside of this catchment area (as part of Government policy).

The main communities in the north of the catchment are Drysdale/Clifton Springs, Portarlington, Indented Head, and St Leonards; and in the south, Queenscliff/Point Lonsdale, and Barwon Heads/Ocean Grove (Figure 1.1).

The Demographic Context

• Total population 32,526
• 47% of the population in the north Peninsula and 53% in the south
• Largest communities: Ocean Grove/ Barwon Heads (12, 552) and Drysdale/ Clifton Springs (8,949)
• Largest concentrations of both younger and older people: Ocean Grove/ Barwon Heads and Drysdale/ Clifton Springs
• High proportion of older people on the Peninsula (19% over 65 years)
• Communities with high proportions of older people: Indented Head 35%, Point Lonsdale 35%, St Leonards 34% and Portarlington 32%
• Bellarine Peninsula growth rate: 2% per annum compared to 1% for Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong
• Age group with highest growth rate: 45 to 59 year olds
• Over 80 years age group growth rate: 4% per annum (very rapid)