Mobile Services
Mobile Clinic Van Services
Budja’s mobile clinic van began operation in mid-July 2019 and is now servicing our Aboriginal community across Ararat Rural City and Northern Grampians Shire, including Ararat, Stawell, St Arnaud and many small towns.
The service was established following extensive consultation with community members while identifying their needs.
Our mobile clinic has a significant role in health education and promotion.
Significant grants were obtained from Indigenous Affairs, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Deakin Rural Health (a University Department of Rural Health) to make this happen.
Services available include hearing, optometry, general health checks, health promotion and education. Services provided depend on Community and individual needs. Services are provided by our professional registered nurses and other health professionals and, at times, by our general practitioner.
Services are available at primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and childcare centres, neighbourhood houses, community events, community health centres, and the home.
This service takes an innovative approach to health service delivery to our 450 Indigenous communities, which are geographically dispersed across 10,000 square kilometres.
Clinical Transport
Clinical Transport Services are provided by Budja Budja 3 days a week, through advanced bookings and prior arrangements with Medical Reception.
These services are limited to Mob Community with a disability or who are elderly or have no access to their own private transport.
Our mobile clinic has a significant role in health education and promotion.
For certain medical and other specialist services, involving at least a 100km one-way trip, the Victorian Government under the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) operates a private transport subsidy scheme for all residents in rural and remote areas. The program is managed by the Ballarat Office of the Vic Department of Health.
For further information regarding Clinical Transport:
Please email - medical.reception@budjabudjacoop.org.au or phone either clinic
Academic Advisor (Research and Clinical Training)
Associate Professor Vin Versace is an Academic Advisor to Budja. Vin is the Director of Deakin Rural Health (a University Department of Rural Health funded through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program) and has played a vital role in securing funding for the mobile clinic and other local initiatives in Aboriginal health.
He provides independent research and evaluation expertise, including input into the operation and evaluation plans for the mobile clinic in partnership with Budja and the ongoing co-supervision of research students working with the health service. Vin and his team at Deakin Rural Health are actively involved in facilitating and coordinating local clinical placements – the next generation of the Aboriginal health workforce.
This multidisciplinary approach includes clinical placements for nursing, allied health, and medical students. This experience includes Aboriginal Cultural Competency Training, which Budja designed and delivered on-site.