Victoria's hub for health services and business
A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health & Human Services.
Victorian government portal for older people, with information about government and community services and programs.
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of vision loss where there is a distortion or absence of the central field of vision...
As you prepare to leave hospital, you or your carer will already be planning what you need to know about your care outside of hospital, including day-to-day living and support, your medication, your...
End of life and palliative care is based on person-centred and holistic care. Talk with your family, close friends, doctor and your palliative care team about what they can do to help you to make the...
Discharge from hospital after a major trauma event can be confusing, find out more...
The Victorian State Trauma System provides urgent and coordinated care to people experiencing a major trauma event...
If you are dissatisfied with a mental health treatment or service, you have the right to make a complaint and have your concerns addressed...
If you are unhappy with the way a disability service has treated you, you have the right to complain and to have your concerns addressed...
Carers have the right to make a complaint on behalf of a person in their care to a healthcare professional, service or regulatory body...
To get the most out of your medical appointments, it’s important to prepare well, book early and write down any questions you may have...
Friendships are an important part of life, but many of us find it difficult to find, make or keep friends...
Family members may be involved in making healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to make decisions and it is not a medical emergency...
Planning and making decisions about the end of your life can be a positive experience. It is a good opportunity to reflect on the things that are important to you, and to make arrangements that suit...
Travellers who visit malarial locations should avoid mosquito bites and take anti-malarial drugs...
Male circumcision involves the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis...
A couple isn't suspected of fertility problems until they have tried and failed to conceive for one year...
Most women who have breast implants will be able to have regular screening mammograms...
The compression of your breast in a mammogram may cause a little discomfort, but shouldn't be painful...
Breaking up is a tough time. It can be better or worse depending on how you deal with it. Here is some information to help you recognise how you’re feeling, and why. You’ll also find...
Learning all about anxiety is central to recovery...
Carers often organise appointments and treatments for the person they are caring for and help with medicines...
Making sure your regular commitments are taken care of during a hospital stay will give you peace of mind to concentrate on your recovery...
Chronic condition management includes positive lifestyle factors like a healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep and social support...
Medications can be important in the management of mental health issues, whether for a short time or for ongoing stabilization of symptoms...
This video from Diabetes Australia – Victoria explores managing your diabetes...
Duration: 11:53
Once you have contacted disability support through the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), you will need to think about how you are going to manage your treatment and...
For some people with a life-limiting illness, work can play a positive role in providing a continued sense of identity, independence and ongoing financial security for their family...
You can manage your health by learning about healthy living, taking steps to prevent disease and having regular health checks with your doctor...
The healthcare professionals in your palliative care team will work together to manage your pain so that you can focus on the things you enjoy...
Juicy, sweet mandarins are a favourite snack for many children. This fruit can be eaten raw, incorporated into desserts or made into a sauce and drizzled over seafood. Mandarins are rich in vitamin C...
Sweet, juicy mangoes are a favourite summer tropical fruit that can be eaten fresh, added to salads or made into chutney. They are a good source of vitamins A and C and contain vitamin B6 and dietary...
A person can be injured when handling objects in a variety of ways including pulling, pushing, holding or restraining...
Some people may not realise they have Marfan syndrome, because their features are either mild or not obvious...
Fresh marjoram is used in salad dressings, soups, marinades, egg and vegetable dishes. Marjoram contains vitamins A and K, minerals such as potassium, manganese and magnesium and dietary fibre. In...
The risk of injury from martial arts is low compared to other contact sports...
One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm...
Massage therapy is the manipulation of a person’s soft tissue (such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, lymphatic vessels or organs) for therapeutic purposes...
Mastitis affects some breastfeeding women and may be caused by blocked milk ducts or a bacterial infection...
Masturbation is a normal and healthy way for people to explore their own bodies...
This is your first key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse – there are 10 visits in total from birth to when your child is three and a half years...
This is your two week key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse – there are 10 visits in total from birth to when your child is three and a half years...
The confidential, 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line can give you information and advice about the care and health of your child (from birth to school age)...
Your local maternal and child health service will be a great source of support after your baby is born...
When your child turns three-and-a-half, it is time for their final key age and stage appointment with your maternal and child health nurse...
This is your four week key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse – there are 10 visits in total from birth to when your child is three and a half years...
This is your eight week key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse – there are 10 visits in total from birth to when your child is three and a half years...
This is your four month key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse – there are 10 visits in total from birth to when your child is three and a half years...
This is your sixth key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse in your local area. Maternal and child health nurses work in partnership with families to care for babies and young...
This is your seventh key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse in your local area. Maternal and child health nurses work in partnership with families to care for babies and young...
This is your eighth key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse in your local area. Maternal and child health nurses work in partnership with families to care for babies and young...
When your child turns two, it is time for their second from last key age and stage appointment with your maternal and child health nurse...
The severity of symptoms or how a child with McCune-Albright syndrome will be affected throughout life is difficult to predict...
Measles can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation...
Immunisation is the best protection against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox)...
Meat and poultry are a great source of protein and lots of other nutrients your body needs. Check your recommended intake of meat and poultry and try to stick with it...
Non-surgical procedures are used to diagnose, measure or treat problems such as disease or injury...
Like all areas of medicine, pregnancy and childbirth has a number of specialised terms, many of which you will hear during your own pregnancy and labour and the birth of your baby...
People may choose to travel overseas to seek medical or surgical treatment that is unavailable in their home country. This is called medical tourism, and it's a booming industry worldwide. People...
You can appoint someone to be your medical power of attorney, also known as ‘enduring power of attorney (medical treatment)’, to make medical decisions on your behalf when, in certain circumstances...
Medicare is a national scheme that provides free or subsidised healthcare to all Australians...
Medications play an important role in your recovery...
Find out how to use medication properly, so you can avoid problems such as unwanted effects and other adverse reactions...
Keeping track of all the medications you are taking is important. Hear advice on how to manage medications while you are in hospital...
Duration: 1:44
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines should always be used cautiously and for the shortest time possible...
Medicinal cannabis is a legal, high quality medicine that can be prescribed for people by their doctor...
A Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) leaflet gives you accurate information about the safety of your medication and how best to take it...
Make sure your doctor knows about every medicine you take, including vitamins...
Complementary medicines can interact with pharmaceutical medicines...
This telephone service provides information on prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines...
Meditation techniques can promote a sense of calm and heightened awareness...
Mindfulness meditation has a range of benefits and can help clear your mind...
Medullary cystic kidney disease causes the growth of abnormal cysts in the kidneys...
Medullary sponge kidney is a condition where cysts develop in the urine-collecting ducts and tubules of one or both kidneys...
If untreated, melanomas can spread to other parts of the body and may be fatal...
Melissa shares her story of how her baby caught chickenpox at 5 weeks old...
Duration: 1:48
Sweet, juicy melons are eaten fresh as part of breakfast, added to salads to complement meat and seafood dishes or served as dessert with yoghurt. They contain vitamins A and C, minerals and dietary...
A facelift is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes or tightens facial skin to make a person look younger...
Loss of memory can be temporary or permanent, but 'amnesia' usually refers to the temporary variety...
If a person with alcohol related brain impairment is aware of their memory limits, they can learn how to deal with them...
Physical activity, a healthy diet and mental exercises may help maintain your brain’s functions, including memory...
Services are available in Victoria for people with dementia, and their partners, carers and friends...
The effects of androgen deficiency depend on how severe the deficiency is, its cause and the age at which the deficiency begins...
Men should see their doctor for regular medical check-ups...
Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. Body image involves your thoughts, perceptions, imagination and emotions. It may have little to do with your actual appearance. Although body...
Sexuality is not about whom we have sex with, or how often we have it. Sexuality is about our sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people. We can find other people...
A lack of health awareness and an unwillingness to adopt a healthier lifestyle puts men at a health disadvantage...
Many men put off going to the doctor, including nutritionist, Shane Bilsborough...
Duration: 4:40
Meniere's disease affects the ear, which is the centre of hearing and balance...
A meningioma is a non-cancerous brain tumour and responds well to treatment...
Meningitis can cause death and requires urgent medical attention...
Do not leave young adults alone if they suddenly develop a fever because they may become seriously ill very quickly...
Meningococcal group vaccines provide good protection against meningococcal group diseases...
Menopause is a natural occurrence and marks the end of a woman's reproductive years...
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can reduce menopausal symptoms, but the benefits and risks need to be considered carefully...
The symptoms of premature or early menopause are the same as for menopause at any age...
The use of complementary therapies to manage menopausal symptoms is popular, but the sources of information available to consumers are of variable quality and reliability...
Regular weight-bearing exercise and maintaining a diet rich in calcium from childhood will help reduce bone loss at menopause...
Menopause, the final menstrual period, is a natural event that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years...
Weight gain at menopause can be managed using healthy eating and exercise; HRT may also be beneficial...
MensLine Australia is a free, confidential, anonymous telephone helpline and online support service...
The menstrual cycle is complex and is controlled by many different glands and the hormones that these glands produce...
Heavy or abnormal periods may be an indication of other health problems...
Women who are athletes or who exercise a lot on a regular basis are at risk of developing athletic amenorrhoea, which is the absence of periods...
Women of any age can experience painful periods and some women find periods are no longer painful after pregnancy and childbirth...
Some women are more at risk of amenorrhoea (the absence of periods) because of emotional stress or changes in weight...
A mental health care plan explains the support provided by each member of a person's healthcare team...
The Mental Health Complaints Commissioner (MHCC) an independent statutory body that deals with complaints about Victorian public mental health services...
Mental health first aid is the help you give to someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis...
Learn about the early warning signs of mental illness, how to communicate well, and where to find professional mental health services in your local community...
The Mental Health Foundation aims to promote positive attitudes to mental health...
If you are a compulsory patient under the Mental Health Act, you have rights and there are people who can help you...
The Mental Health Act 2014 is the law governing compulsory mental health treatment in Victoria...
If emotional or behavioural problems are disrupting your life, it's important to seek professional help early...
A case manager looks after your interests while you are a client of public (government) mental health services...
If you think that you or someone you know has a mental health issue, there are a number of ways that you can seek advice, information and referral for general and mental health issues in Victoria...
Take a few tips to improve your health and wellbeing...
Thinking about and documenting how you would like your treatment and recovery from mental illness to work can help you become more involved in your healthcare...
Getting help early can reduce the severity of symptoms and the impact on people’s daily lives...
You can do a lot to help your friend or relative with a mental illness, but you need to look after yourself too...
People with a mental illness who are receiving effective treatment are no more violent than anyone else in the community...
The relationship between stress and mental illness is complex, but it is known that stress can worsen an episode of mental illness...
Almost half of all Australians will be affected by mental illness at some time in their life...
The correct treatment for mental illness can help a person?s condition to improve or help a person to live well, despite the presence of some ongoing symptoms...
If you are feeling unwell, overwhelmed, depressed, anxious or suicidal, it is important to know that there is help out there. Mental health support services are available throughout Victoria, 24 hours...
Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way because of a particular characteristic or attribute, such as mental illness. When someone treats you in a negative way because of your mental illness...
Nutrition needs differ with gender and age. A healthy diet for a man is different from a healthy diet for a woman. And what a middle aged male needs from his food for good health and growth...
The Men’s Referral Service is a free, confidential telephone helpline that offers counselling, advice and support to men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues...
Preventing or minimising exposure to mercury in your environment is the best way to reduce the risk of mercury poisoning...
Pregnant women and young children should limit consumption of fish that contain high levels of mercury...
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that can develop decades after exposure to asbestos...
Metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions that can increase your risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease...
Your metabolism is influenced by your age, gender, muscle-to-fat ratio, the food you eat, physical activity and hormone function...
Metropolitan and trauma services provide world class emergency care services to people of all ages...
Middle ear infections often happen during or after a child has a cold...
A midwife cares for women during pregnancy and labour...
Midwives are specially trained to care for women during pregnancy, labour and just after birth...
Migraine causes a severe and throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head, as well as symptoms such as nausea...
Milk is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium...
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurised to kill bacteria that could be harmful to humans...
Sticking to your normal routine as much as possible and trying to feel comfortable and aware of your surroundings can help your mind and mood while in hospital...
A range of feelings is normal after a miscarriage, and they often linger for some time...
Duration: 9:33
Teach your child strategies for responding to mobile phone bullying...
Using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of traffic accidents...
Most molar pregnancies are diagnosed when bleeding early in pregnancy prompts an ultrasound scan...
Molluscum contagiosum can be mistaken for genital warts or pimples, check with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis...
MoneyHelp provides a telephone financial counselling service and online financial information and advice to help people who are experiencing financial difficulty or debt...
Most people know when they are feeling ‘in a mood’. But do you know what ‘mood’ means? Or where your mood comes from? Or how to change your mood? Understanding your moods may help you work out what...
Getting enough sleep is vital. Long term sleep deficiency can affect your mood. You can improve your sleep quality...
Dr Finn Romanes, public health doctor at Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services explains the department’s program to monitor and manage the risks associated with Mosquitoes. Learn about the...
Duration: 2:00
Use this simple checklist and take action to prevent mosquitoes from spoiling your holiday. Mosquitoes can carry diseases be prepared and avoid mosquito bites...
Use this simple checklist and take action to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. The best protection from mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites...
You can reduce the risk of mosquito bites if you get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites around your home...
Motion sickness may occur in anyone, but some people are particularly sensitive...
Motor neurone disease (MND) is also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Lou Gehrig's disease. MND is a rapidly progressing, neurological disease. Motor neurones are nerve cells that control...
People with motor neurone disease can keep some independence and quality of life with the right help...
A person with motor neurone disease may have difficulty with everyday items in their home...
Problems using the toilet and bathroom can be stressful for both the person with motor neurone disease and their carer...
Recreation and leisure are very important for everyone, especially for people with limited activity...
Motor vehicle crashes continue to be one of the biggest killers and causes of injury in Victoria...
The way to control indoor mould growth is to control the source of moisture...
While undisturbed mould is not a major health hazard for most people, there are some important safety tips to follow when trying to remove mould. There are also some easy steps to take to reduce the...
The mouth helps us to digest our food and communicate through speech...
Smoking increases the risk of mouth cancer six-fold...
In most cases, mouth ulcers are harmless and resolve by themselves in a few days...
A mouthguard provides the best protection for the teeth, lips and jaw during sport and leisure activities...
The type of illness and the severity of your condition will determine the kind of setting where you can access treatment...
If you are leaving home, try to go on a positive note. Hopefully, your parents are happy about your plans and support your decision...
If you don't approve of your child's reasons for moving out, try to keep the lines of communication open...
The MRI scan is a medical imaging procedure that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures inside the body...
The MPTP program offers subsidised taxi fares for people with severe and permanent disabilities...
Multiple myeloma is cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow...
Multiple sclerosis is not contagious, but it is progressive and unpredictable...
Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be eased with medications, therapies and self-help strategies...
Mumps is a viral illness that causes fever and swollen salivary glands, and a swollen face...
Munchausen syndrome is a mental disorder in which the patient fakes illness to gain attention and sympathy...
The only protection from Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is to avoid mosquito bites...
A muscle cramp is an uncontrollable and painful spasm of a muscle...
There are about 600 muscles in the human body...
People affected by muscular dystrophy have different degrees of independence, mobility and carer needs...
Mushrooms are versatile and can be eaten raw or cooked. There are many varieties available in Australia. Mushrooms are a good source of vitamins B2 and B3 and minerals (potassium phosphorus, zinc and...
Contrary to popular belief, there is no home test that can distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties of wild fungi or mushrooms...
My Aged Care aims to help you navigate the aged care system...
When you have diabetes you need to take care of your feet every day. This video from Diabetes Australia – Victoria explores footcare and diabetes...
Duration: 6:49
My Health and Development Record is designed for parents to keep and record their child's milestones, health, growth, development and immunisations...
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness...
A myomectomy is an operation performed to remove fibroids from the uterus...
Myotherapists practise myotherapy, used to treat or prevent soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement...
Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy used to treat or prevent soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement...
In Victoria, where abortion is available in a range of public and private settings, it is a safe, common and legal reproductive health choice...
Chlamydia is a sexually transmissible infection that is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis...
Endometriosis is a common reproductive health disease that occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus...
Fertility refers to the ability to conceive and have a child...
Menopause is a natural biological event in a woman's life, commencing when her period stops. It is a normal part of ageing...
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal condition affecting women of reproductive age...