As Victoria began to see the easing of circuit breaker restrictions in June, Monash Health played an important role in the fight against COVID-19 through our high-volume vaccination centres. Meanwhile, the Monash Health South East Public Health Unit supported critical contact tracing efforts.
Recognising the work of the Monash Health South East Public Health Unit
With hundreds of contact tracers working to track community transmission of COVID-19, the Monash Health South East Public Health Unit was at the frontline of the state’s response.
The Age visited the public health unit’s ‘war room’ and spoke with Professor Rhonda Stuart, Director, Monash Health South East Public Health Unit, and Jay Caruso, Team Leader, Monash Health South East Public Health Unit. This story also received coverage on 10 News Melbourne.
High demand at our vaccination centres
The impact of the Victorian COVID-19 outbreak was felt at our Cranbourne Turf Club and Sandown Racecourse Vaccination Centres, as we saw a considerable spike in vaccinations during May and June.
In June, the Victorian Government announced that they would conduct a ‘vaccination blitz’, prioritising disability and aged care workers who were yet to be vaccinated.
ABC News Breakfast interviewed Martin Keogh, Chief Operating Officer, at our Sandown Racecourse Vaccination Centre on day one of the blitz.
As the blitz continued, 9 News Melbourne spoke with Sarah Lorentzen, Lead, High Volume Vaccination Centres, about our plans to expand the Sandown Racecourse Vaccination Centre.
Later in June, Andrew Stripp, Chief Executive, spoke with ABC Radio Melbourne’s Raf Epstein about the importance of second doses.
Our Cranbourne Turf Club Vaccination Centre was more than happy to help with second doses when crews from the Cranbourne and Langwarrin Fire Brigades rolled up their sleeves, sharing their experience with Cranbourne Star News.
Caring for our community
Two of our future hospitals, the Cranbourne Community Hospital and the Pakenham Community Hospital, received attention from local media in June.
The City of Casey approved a land sale to the Victorian Health Building Authority for the Cranbourne Community Hospital, which appeared in Cranbourne Star News.
Locals from the Pakenham community shared their thoughts on the future site of the Pakenham Community Hospital with the Pakenham Gazette.
Expert commentary
Insights and research from Monash Health experts shared with the media this month includes:
- Head of Monash Health’s Early In Life Mental Health Services unit, Associate Professor Michael Gordon, spoke to the ABC about children refusing to go to school after lockdowns
- Dr Joanna Tully and Dr Janine Rowse of the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service spoke to The Age about a jump in sexual assaults of children groomed online
Approved by Louise Kanis, Executive Director, Public Affairs and Communication