Grampians Community Health is expanding its Home Isolation Support Service.
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The health service provider, with centres in Stawell, Ararat and Horsham, is now offering the service to anyone who is self-isolating and needs assistance with obtaining groceries, pharmacy items, or simply needs someone to talk to.
Grampians Community Health chief executive officer Greg Little said he wanted to be able to support people who have chosen to isolate for medical reasons or have been directed to stay at home.
"Anyone for any reason who has to stay at home and can't go outside - we want to be able to support people in our community to do that," he said.
"It's not necessarily for people who have tested positive to COVID-19."
The service is offered throughout the Northern Grampians Shire and Ararat Rural City.
In Horsham, Uniting Wimmera offers a similar home support service.
Originally, GCH was offering the support service to patients who had been advised by GPs to self-isolate at home, but is now offering the service to anyone in the community.
Mr Little said GCH was providing for six people, but expected that number to rise.
According to Mr Little, CGH isn't funded to run such a service, but will provide the support for free.
Delivery of retail goods are not free and are arranged through a separate agency..
"I's pretty tough self-isolating. It's not easy," Mr Little said.
"The service is to enable someone to stay in their home while they isolate.
"The hospital has their role as a response agency and supporting people with medical needs, and we're looking at the social welfare side."
For more information, call Grampians Community Health on 5358 7400.
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