For Patients and Visitors

We work with patients, families and carers with a range of issues that may arise during a hospital admission. Social work provides a service that considers the person’s medical conditions, changed health needs and the psychosocial impacts of the admission. In partnership with the patient, family, carer, medical, nursing and allied health teams, social workers can provide information, support and assistance on issues that may include:

For health professionals wishing to refer a patient to the Social Work Department, please fax referral to 9231 3439 or call reception 9231 3436 to discuss further.

Accommodation, transport expenses and visitor services

• Accommodation and services for visitors - www.svhm.org.au/patients-visitors/visitor-information-and-services#accommodation-for-visitors
• Multi-Purpose Taxi Program - cpv.vic.gov.au/passengers/mptp
• S.W. Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) - www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/services/iptaas
• Travellers Aid - www.travellersaid.org.au
• Victorian Patients Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) - www2.health.vic.gov.au/hospitals-and-health-services/rural-health/vptas-how-to-apply

Aboriginal Health and Legal Support

• Victorian Aboriginal Health Services (VAHS) - www.vahs.org.au/
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) - www.vaccho.org.au
• Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) - vals.org.au

Aged care

• My Aged Care - www.myagedcare.gov.au
• Carers Victoria - www.carersvictoria.org.au
• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres - www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/programmes-services/for-carers/commonwealth-respite-and-carelink-centres

Children, young people and families

• Child First (Family Support Service) - services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/child-first-and-family-services
• Department of Health and Human Services Child Protection - services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/child-protection
• Family Peace Foundation - familypeace.org.au
• Kids Helpine - kidshelpline.com.au
• No Way - bullyingnoway.gov.au
• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) - www.vacca.org

Coroner

• Coroner’s Court Family Liaison - www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/families

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre - www.asrc.org.au
• Australian Migrant Resource Centre - amrc.org.au
• Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria: Migrant Women’s Support Service - www.dvrcv.org.au/migrant-womens-support-service

Cyber and Social Media Safety

• eSafety Commissioner - esafety.gov.au
• Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria: Technology and Safety – www.dvrcv.org.au/technology-safety

Disability

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - www.ndis.gov.au
• Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) - www.humanservices.gov.au

Family violence

• Djirra (Family Violence and Legal Support for Aboriginal Women) - djirra.org.au
• Family Violence Service: Orange Door - orangedoor.vic.gov.au
• Family Violence Crisis Support (Victoria): Safe Steps - www.safesteps.org.au
• Family Violence Support (National): www.1800respect.org.au
• Men’s Behaviour Change - www.ntv.org.au
• Men’s Referral Service - https://www.ntv.org.au/about-us/contact-us

Financial

• Centrelink - www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/centrelink

Guardianship and Administration

• Office of the Public Advocate - www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal - www.vcat.vic.gov.au

Homelessness

• Homeless Services - housing.vic.gov.au/crisis-emergency-contacts

Human trafficking and modern slavery

• Australian Federal Police - www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/crime-types/human-trafficking

LGBTIQA+

• National LGBTI Health Alliance - lgbtihealth.org.au
• ReachOut.com - au.reachout.com/articles/lgbtqi-support-services
• QLife Webchat Australia wide - qlife.org.au/get-help
• Carer Gateway - www.carergateway.gov.au/tips/tips-lgbti-carers

Mental Health

• Beyond Blue – www.beyondblue.org.au
• Lifeline - www.lifeline.org.au

Support for specific health conditions

• Dementia Australia - www.dementia.org.au/vic
• Cancer Council Victoria - www.cancervic.org.au
• Leukaemia Foundation - www.leukaemia.org.au
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Australia - www.ms.org.au
• Palliative Care Victoria - www.pallcarevic.asn.au

Support for specific situations

• Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) - www.dva.gov.au
• Transport Accident Commission (TAC) - www.tac.vic.gov.au
• Victims of Crime - www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au
• WorkSafe Victoria - www.worksafe.vic.gov.au