About Us

The facility has been completely re-developed on its original site, overlooking the stunning views of Louttit Bay , and was officially opened in 2006. It provides a modern work environment which is well equipped with current technology and equipment. The organisation employs around 60 staff (40 EFT), with nursing staff comprising 73% of the total. The total expenditure budget is in the vicinity of $4.7 million annually.

Currently the hospital provides: 20 high level aged care beds (19 residential, 1 respite), 6 acute beds, 2 dialysis service chairs (as a satellite service of Barwon Health), district nursing five days per week, planned adult day activities, community health programs, and urgent care services with approximately 2500 contacts per year and the majority of those occurring between November and March.

The Hospital's role in urgent care is to deliver resuscitation and stabilisation as a minimum level of emergency care. Emergency transfers take place by road and air ambulance. The service is staffed 24/7 with Registered Nurses trained in Advanced Life Support, and medical services are provided by on-call general practitioners. The Hospital team works closely with the local Ambulance paramedics to provide an optimal response.

The key strategic directions for 2009 – 2012 are in 4 areas:
1. Engagement 2. Population Health 3. Quality, Risk and Safety 4. Sustainability

The service is currently accredited with the Aged Care Standards Agency and ACHS under EQuiP 4, and maintaining these standards is an operational priority. The organisation has a small but successful fundraising program, which it plans to build upon in future.

A key strategic direction for LCH is to develop a “wellness model” by increasing the emphasis on community based health service provision and partnering to expand the focus of the health service to reflect the social model of health, incorporating health prevention, promotion, chronic disease management and social support services.

The organisation currently has a number of successful partnership with other local agencies for health promotion programs, including rural health and focussing on youth, children and families.

About The Consumers

LCH's client base includes the aged, a small local community of around 2,500 in Lorne and surrounding areas, international and interstate tourists, weekly commuters, transient hospitality workers, and an increasing retiree population moving into the catchment area. The population escalates from November to March, exceeding 30,000. Lorne is identified as a location for tourist events, with major events such as the ‘Pier to Pub', “Mountain to Surf”, ‘The Falls Festival', ‘School Leavers Week', and ‘The Great Ocean Road International Marathon' bringing thousands into the area annually. The Hospital plays an active role with emergency services and the Surf Coast Shire in risk management planning for these events to minimize impact on local community services.

About The Location

Lorne Community Hospital (LCH) is located in the township of Lorne on the Great Ocean Road within one hour travel from the major centres of Geelong and Colac. It is 2 hours travel by car from Melbourne . Lorne is an idyllic location on the Surf Coast which boasts spectacular coastal scenery, renowned surfing spots and beautiful beaches, which are surrounded by the lush bush and waterfalls of Great Otway National Park .

The location provides easy access to a range of outdoor activities, leisure and adventure sports while hosting the facilities of a resort town such as cinema, galleries, restaurants and shops. The local resident community offers a P-12 school, sporting and recreation clubs, a vibrant community house, interesting activities such as a book club, yoga classes, and volunteering opportunities.