Gateway Health is helping deliver a new Commonwealth Government service providing additional mental health support to Victorians during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anyone struggling with anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns around Covid-19 can call a single number - 1800 595 212 - for easy access and referral to a wide range of support services.

When we hear the word ‘malnutrition’ many people tend to think of third-world countries, famines and natural disasters.

But malnutrition can be a problem much closer to home, even in a relatively prosperous country like Australia – and even in regional Victoria.

To help raise awareness of malnutrition issues, Australia’s first ever Malnutrition Week is being held from 6-9 October.

Did you know you can get free help with your tax return at Gateway Health? Yes, we care about your financial health too!

At our Wodonga office we’re hosting a free service provided by the Australian Tax Office, using expert volunteers, through September and October 2020. To be eligible you need to have earned less than $60,000 over the financial year.

Book a time by calling Gateway Health Wodonga – (02) 6022 8888.

Free legal advice is made available to Gateway Health clients through our links to the Hume Riverina Community Legal Service. In normal times it’s been possible to arrange to see someone on our premises, though during Covid-19 this is not possible.

But Hume Riverina Community Legal Service is now offering a free phone service. Gateway Health clients can access it through their normal contact person at Gateway Health, or by calling the Legal Service direct – 1800 918 377.

Download the Free Legal Help at Gateway flyer to view an overview of their services.

Some useful videos have been created to explain the process for getting a border permit in a range of languages spoken by newer migrant groups in the community, courtesy of Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council (AWECC). If you know someone who might need this help, please point them in the right direction to these video links!

The videos include translated information of how to get tested for Covid 19 in Albury Wodonga, as well as

Make sure you phone ahead if you are planning to come into any Gateway Health centre.

During the current Covid-19 situation it makes good sense for everyone to do that - but it's especially important if you have been to any area that that currently has restrictions in place, like Melbourne, in the past two weeks.

It's also esssential if you've mixed with anyone who has come from a restricted area in the past two weeks. 

So we can protect you and protect others - phone ahead!

Gateway Health is providing “business as usual” service in Wodonga as new border controls are being put into effect by the NSW and Victorian Governments.

If you are a Gateway Health client with an appointment booked to see a NSW based specialist, please contact the specialist’s office direct.

If you have a medical appointment at our Wodonga centre, and need to cross the border, we will provide information shortly on what to do – please keep watching our Facebook page and website for new information as it comes to us.

Thanks to all our clients, volunteers, visitors and staff for your ongoing patience, understanding and commitment to slowing the spread of Covid-19.

But it’s not over yet. The Victorian Government reminds us all that if you are feeling any flu-like symptoms at all – however mild - you should go to a local Covid-19 testing clinic and get tested.

Gateway Health has published its first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, a document mapping out our commitments to improving outcomes for the recognition and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The document addresses key issues around recognition, employment, cultural learning, partnership activities and other aspects of the relationship between the organisation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Some practical help is at hand in the battle to stay healthy during the current Covid-19 emergency: Gateway Health has published a set of two guides to a wide range of food resources we can all find close to home.

The Gateway Health Community Food Access Guide has been published in two editions - one for Albury-Wodonga and another for Wangaratta and surrounds.

Gateway Health GP clinics have begun to provide a ‘telehealth’ service to patients. This means it’s now possible to consult with a doctor from home using telephone or video-linked computer rather than attend at the clinic.

Patients must phone ahead to make a booking. (Wangaratta 03 5723 2000; Wodonga 02 6022 8888.)

A lot of Gateway Health’s patients and clients come from non-English speaking backgrounds.

So in the midst of the Covid-19 corona virus emergency, many have a need to access important health information in languages other than English.