Health Information Sheet | Canberra Health Services

Caring for you in the Community

Your guide to finding our services

Welcome to Canberra Health Services

Canberra Health Services (CHS) delivers a range of public health services in the community and at our hospitals. These include emergency, medical, surgical and rehabilitation services.

Our community health services can provide:

care for women’s health matters, pregnancy and care after you have a baby
early childhood, youth and early parenting services
cancer counselling and support for patients, carers and friends
speech pathology, exercise physiology, physiotherapy, podiatry, prosthetic, orthotic, nutrition services, occupational therapy, and social work
nursing care
dental care
mental health care and support
alcohol and drug services
group programs and more.

Whether you are a patient or carer, our guide has helpful information about the services and programs available from our community facilities.

This guide has been developed with support from our partner organisations, including the Health Care Consumers’ Association. The back page of this guide has additional contact information should you wish to reach out to one of our partners.

More information

If you have any questions after reading this guide, you can speak to one of our team members in the hospital by calling 02 5124 5932 or emailing HealthFeedback@act.gov.au

Services available

Early childhood and family health care

We offer a range of child and family health services to support the health and development of you and your baby, including:

children’s asthma care
hearing and vision tests for children
baby and child health and development checks
breastfeeding support clinics
nutrition and weight management
early childhood immunisation
postnatal physiotherapy (for people who have given birth in the previous 12 months, and infants under 12 months)
first time parent/carer groups
early family support service counselling

Our Early Parenting Support phone line can support with maternal and child health, breastfeeding and parenting concerns. You can contact the support line on 02 5124 1775 between 8:30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday.

More information

Scan the QR code for more about our early childhood and family health care services.

Alcohol and drug assessment and support services

Our specialist alcohol and drug team members can provide information, assessment, referrals and treatment for alcohol and other drug issues for individuals as well as support and information for families, carers and friends.

Scan the QR code for more information about these services.

Mental health care

We offer immediate help for people who have a mental health concern, including depression, anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders.

We provide consultation and treatment for children, youth and adults. We have a dedicated line for people who have concerns about their own or someone else’s mental health. We provide mental health assessments over the phone to decide what type of mental health supports may be helpful for you.

Contact us on the Access Mental Health line on 1800 629 354 (free call). We are available to answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Scan the QR code to find out more about this service.

Breast screening

BreastScreen ACT recommends eligible Canberrans from the age of 50 – 74 years participate in mammogram screening every two years. Free screening is also available for participants from 40 – 49 years and over 74 years. It takes less than half an hour, and no referral is needed.

More information

To find out more information, call BreastScreen ACT on 13 20 50 between 8.30am – 5pm Monday – Friday or scan the QR code.

Cancer counselling

Receiving a cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment and starting a recovery journey requires support. We offer counselling and guidance to people living with cancer, as well as their carers, families and friends.

To find out more about this service scan the QR code.

Recovery, rehabilitation and staying well

Whether you are recovering from an injury, or managing a chronic condition, we can help with:

skin and wound care
drain care
continence and stoma services
caring for your chronic condition
podiatry and foot care
physiotherapy
prosthetic and orthotic services
occupational therapy
nutrition
social work
preventing falls
speech pathology
exercise physiology
palliative care services and support
group exercise and information programs.

We supply or loan a range of equipment, such as mobility aids, hoists and wheelchairs, to people discharged from the hospital, for rehabilitation, or those needing it to live safely at home.

To find out more about the loan service scan the QR code.

More information

To find out more about these services scan the QR code.

Women’s Health Service

Our Women’s Health Service offers free services for women, and people who align with this group. Our services include nursing, medical, nutrition and counselling for women who experience barriers accessing mainstream health care.

Our nursing and medical team see women aged 14 years and above who find it difficult to access care due to:

violence, abuse or neglect
identifying as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
language or cultural barriers
homelessness or risk of homelessness
substance abuse issues
mental health issues
disability
sexual identity issues
financial disadvantage.

The nursing and medical team see women for:

reproductive and sexual health (contraception, menopause, endometriosis and pelvic pain)
Well Women’s Clinic, including health history, basic physical examination, routine and cervical screening and lifestyle advice.

We also have a counselling team who see women over the age of 18 who have experienced abuse, neglect and/or violence, and have a significant difficulty accessing mainstream services.

You can make an appointment by calling 02 5124 1787 between 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday.

More information

Scan the QR code to find out more about this service.

Dental services

We provide dental care for children and adults who are ACT residents and who are the primary holder of a Centrelink-issued Pension Concession or Health Care Card, a Veteran’s affairs card or an ACT Services Access card.

Our services include:

emergency treatment
denture services
comprehensive assessment and an oral health plan
general preventative and restorative treatment.

More information

Scan the QR code to find out more information about our dental services.

Diabetes education, management and support

We offer educational programs, nutrition support and treatment for:

adults with pre-diabetes, type 1 or type 2 diabetes
children/adolescents with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
women with gestational diabetes.

More information

Scan the QR code to find out more about our diabetes management support services.

Genetic counselling

We offer genetic counselling consultations for people with concerns about the possibility of an inherited condition in themselves or their family.

More information

To find out more about genetic counselling scan the QR code.

ACT Pathology Collection Centres

Your doctor might order blood, urine or other tests to help understand your symptoms and how to help you. You can have your tests done with ACT Pathology, located in or next to a number of our CHS Health Centres.

You can find out more information about opening hours and locations

By calling 02 6244 2816

Or scan the QR code.

A map of canberra depicting the ACT Pathology Collection Centres

Our care teams in the community

Our care teams are located around the Canberra community and are made up of nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, social workers, counsellors, occupational therapists, podiatrists, dietitians, speech pathologists, exercise physiologists and health assistants and health promotion officers. These health professionals are supported by their administration and reception teams.

We will let you know which facility your appointment will be at. You can also check the location of your appointment through MyDHR. To find out more about MyDHR go to ‘Your health care information’.

Respect our team members

Your care team is here to work with you to provide the care and support you need to get well. Please treat our team members, other patients and visitors with care and respect.

Where we are located

CHS Belconnen Health Centre
CHS City Health Centre
CHS Molonglo
CHS Inner North Health Centre
CHS Phillip Health Centre
CHS Tuggeranong Health Centre
CHS Weston Creek Health Centre
CHS Gungahlin Health Centre
CHS Village Creek Centre (Kambah)
University of Canberra Hospital.

Dedicated maternal, child and family health services:

CHS Florey Child Health Clinic
CHS Lanyon Family Care Centre
CHS Ngunnawal Child Health Clinic
Narrabundah Early Childhood School.

We also hold some of our maternal, child and family health care appointments at the Health and Community Services Directorate Child and Family Centres in West Belconnen, Gungahlin and Tuggeranong.

Some services also offer home visits.

To find out more detailed information about parking and public transport options, scan the QR code.

Contact Central Health Intake

Our Central Health Intake (CHI) team can help you find out more about appointments and referrals.

The CHI team can help you by:

giving you information about our services and how to access them
letting you know whether you’re eligible for particular services
making, cancelling or rescheduling appointments
giving you updates on your referrals and approximate waitlist wait times for some services
referring you to other services.

Give them a call on 02 5124 9977 (8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday).

You can also cancel an outpatient appointment yourself via MyDHR or on our website.

Your health care information

Your Digital Health Record (DHR)

Your health record is stored electronically. You can view your own record through our online patient portal, MyDHR.

MyDHR is safe and secure and can be accessed through a mobile app or on the website www.mydhr.act.gov.au

On MyDHR, you can:

view ‘after visit’ and discharge summaries
view pathology and imaging results
submit and review advance care planning documents
receive appointment reminders
complete pre-appointment surveys.

More information

To find out more, including how to download the app, scan the QR code to visit the ACT Health web page Digital Health Record.

Accessing previous health records with CHS

We keep a record of all treatments and medicines you receive.

We will not release your health records to a third party without your consent.

You can access your own health record at any time.

More information

Health record request forms are available on our website. Scan the QR code below to find the page.

Know your health care rights

You can expect to receive high quality services and care from us. It is important you know what to expect from us and understand your responsibilities during a stay.

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (‘the Charter’) explains the basic rights all patients and consumers are entitled to receive when accessing health care services.
They are:

access
safety
respect
partnership
information
privacy
give feedback.

The Charter is available in paper version. You can also access translated, Easy English and Auslan versions at www.safetyandquality.gov.au

Privacy

We respect your privacy. To care for you safely, we will need information about you and will keep records of your treatment and care. We will always seek your consent to share information with a carer. We will only share your information without your consent in certain circumstances, for example, treatment is urgent and you are unable to communicate.

Consent

We will talk to you about your options and ask for consent before starting any treatment or procedures. If you have any questions about your care, please speak with a member of your care team.

We will record your decision in your clinical notes. In most cases, you are allowed to change your mind at any time if you do not want to continue treatment.

More information

Scan the QR code for more about your health care rights or visit Rights and responsibilities

Walk-in Centres

Walk-in Centres provide free health care for non-life threatening injuries and illnesses to anyone who is over one year of age.

The centres are open 7 days a week, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day between 7.30am – 10pm. You don’t need to make an appointment.

Walk-in Centres can provide you with a health assessment and treatment for a wide range of health needs, including:

common colds and influenza
conjunctivitis
cuts, abrasions, bruises and burns
sinusitis, tonsillitis, middle and
outer ear infections
ear wax removal
emergency contraception
school sores
simple gastroenteritis
skin conditions
sick certificates
simple limb injuries
Tetanus boosters if needed
when you have an injury
urinary tract infections.

We are staffed by Advance Practice Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. If your health needs are more than we can provide, we will direct or support you to the right care.

Locations

Belconnen
Corner of Lathlain and Cohen Street, Belconnen

Dickson
Dickson Place, between Dickson Place and Cowper Street, Dickson

Gungahlin
Ernest Cavanagh Street, near Hinder Street, Gungahlin

Tuggeranong
Corner of Pitman and Cowlishaw Street, Greenway

Weston Creek
Parkinson Street, Weston Creek.

CHS online tool – right care, right place, right time

Our online tool helps you to find relevant health service/s that suit your needs. It includes information about GP services, as well as public and community-based health care services that generally you don’t need a referral for. It also has information about non-government health related services.

Need help now?

In a life-threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000) or attend the nearest emergency department.

Concerned about your own or someone else’s mental health? We are here to help.

Contact us on the Access Mental Health line on 1800 629 354 (free call). We are available to answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We provide mental health assessments over the phone to decide what type of mental health supports may be helpful for you.

My appointment details

Useful contacts and resources

Canberra Health Services:

Access Mental Health

24 hours/seven days a week
Phone: 1800 629 354

For people who have concerns about their own or someone else’s mental health. We provide information, make recommendations, and/or refer you for further mental health support.

Canberra Hospital Switchboard

24 hours/seven days a week
Phone: 02 5124 0000

Consumer Feedback and Engagement Team

Phone: 02 5124 5932
Email: HealthFeedback@act.gov.au

Central Health Intake

Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Community based services phone: 02 5124 9977, 8am – 5pm

Hospital services phone: 02 5124 2415, 8.30am – 4.30pm

Please note that both phone lines close at 3.30pm every Wednesday for quality and staff training.