Goulburn Valley Health is a 280 bed acute and extended care facility which  provides surgical, medical, paediatric, obstetrics and gynaecology, intensive care and psychiatry services as well as extended care and regional services. It has two smaller sites at Rushworth and Tatura with acute and aged care beds. Goulburn Valley Health provides community services that compliment its inpatient role, such as Hospital in the Home, diabetes education, continence and aged care assessment, home based nursing and allied health.

A high incidence of road accidents, skin cancer, farm injuries and work safety accidents occur in our region, a characteristic that we share with other rural communities.

Population numbers swell considerably during the fruit harvest season from December to March, when an estimated 10,000 itinerant workers from throughout Australia and overseas visit the region.  Snake bite, cuts, scratches to the eyes from branches, injuries caused by falling from a fruit picking ladder and allergic reactions are among the most common conditions treated during the harvest season.

One of the worst droughts in Victoria has impacted on our community for several years. Stock and crop production levels and prices, farm viability, and small businesses have all been affected.   In addition to the more obvious economic impacts, the health and social effects upon families are widespread, but difficult to quantify.

 
GV Health Operating Suite

GV Health works in partnership with other health providers within the region to ensure that the right mix of services are provided to meet these community needs. For example, GV Health has participated in the development of Municipal Public Health Plans for each Local Government Area in the catchments, and the development of a Community Health Plan for the region throughout  the Goulburn Valley.