Free wellness clinic helps to achieve health outcomes

SOUTHERN Queensland Rural Health is encouraging Toowoomba region residents to ramp up their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic by accessing its free Health and Wellness Clinic located at Baillie Henderson Hospital.

SQRH director, associate professor Geoff Argus, said nursing and allied health students are helping to improve the health and wellness of local residents through an innovative student-led clinic.

“During the peak of the pandemic, the clinic transitioned to a telehealth service but on July 6 we will re-open again as a face-to-face service observing the required social distancing and hygiene protocols,” Mr Argus said. “All participants need to be referred by a general practitioner and have been identified as having low to rising risk of chronic disease.

“During the first six months of this year people may have found it challenging to focus on health and wellness given the drastic changes to daily living.

“Now that restrictions are easing, we’re encouraging people to make health their priority and be proactive in creating a fit and active lifestyle.”

Mr Argus said people referred by their GP have access to a comprehensive four month program.

“The students involved are studying physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, nursing, psychology and social work and they assist people to improve fitness, mobility, nutrition and mental wellbeing while working under the supervision of SQRH clinical educators,” he said.

For more information visit www.sqrh.com.au