A group of nursing students from Bundoora’s La Trobe University are learning first hand the importance of community health programs.
The third-year students have been manning a health kiosk at the Dallas Neighbourhood House as part of their public health studies.
The students use the kiosk to provide visitors to the Neighbourhood House with health advice as well as providing information about local health and wellbeing services.
Student Kavita Narula said many of the people who approached the kiosk for help were migrants who didn’t know who to reach out to about health problems.
“Some of them weren’t aware of the local healthcare services in the community,” she said.
“We would offer people blood pressure checks and then engage with them and ask them questions about their health to make sure they have a regular GP and know about the services available to them.
“We came across people who hadn’t had their blood pressure checked before and who weren’t aware they could get their GP to check it.”
The students also organised a health expo, bringing local health agencies and services together to talk to the community.
Ms Narula said the placement had taught her the importance of community nursing.
“I’m really glad I was given this opportunity. One lady who came to us had recently moved here, but her children were still in her home country. Her story really touched me,” she said.
