Director Janet Hope, set up the Victorian Bariatric Interest Group out of concern for poor care of the bariatric (overweight, obese and morbidly obese) patient.   The group's aims are to raise awareness of the complexity of safe and dignified management of the bariatric patient.

The VicBIG objectives are to safely and effectively manage the bariatric (overweight, obese and morbidly obese) patient by:

1. raising the awareness of the safe planning for admission

2. simplifying the process by which hospitals acquire suitable equipment

3. raising the awareness of the facilities available for transport to health care facilities

4. promoting the development of suitable hospital facilities

5. asking VicBIG members for help in challenging situations

6. providing an on-line forum for members.

Membership:

Membership is open to professionals involved in the many areas of bariatric (overweight, obese and morbidly obese) patient care.

When you join the Victorian Bariatric Interest Group you become a member of a community of professionals dedicated to improving the management and care of the overweight, obese and morbidly obese population. Membership is a small investment with big rewards

Here are just some of the benefits you will receive as a member of VicBIG

• an interactive website with 'members only' access

• access to the NEW VicBIG forum

• sharing of case studies - offering an insight into overcoming amazing hurdles 

• newsletter

• notification of VicBIG meetings - flyers

• posted past VicBIG meetings

• conferences and events - state, national and international

• general information

• networking and sharing knowledge with colleagues via the website and meetings

• advocacy for increased funding for room design, bariatric equipment and transporting of obese patients

• leadership and networking opportunities in your field

• discounted education programs: VicBIG seminars - more discounts and bonuses to come

Membership for healthcare professionals is now FREE!

How to Join 

To become a member of VicBIG and receive all the great benefits above is an easy 3 step process.

Step 1    Enter Your Details on the signup page via LOG IN / not a member?

Step 2   Bypass the payment details

Step 3   Type the 2 security words then click the register button. 

Step 4   Activation of your membership.

      When your membership has been approved you will then be granted access to the VicBIG Members Only area.

Funding:

Who Funds the Victorian Bariatric Interest Group?

Work and projects conducted by VicBIG are funded by donation and sponsorship.

Meetings:

Meetings for 2012

The Victorian Bariatric Interest Group meets 4 times each year. 

I have secured the Burvale Hotel Function Room for our 4 meetings next year which will be held on the 2nd Wednesday in February, May, August and November from 2.30-5pm 2012.

It is situated in Vermont South on the cnr of Springvale Rd and Burwood Hwy. Melway page 62 D7. It has plenty of FREE parking, a bistro and discounted motel rooms (with new beds), for the country members .

These meetings will all be posted on the new website in 2012.

Meetings for 2011

For further information go to contact us

Accessing Bariatric Equipment:

The Independent Living Centre, ILC, has a great website for accessing bariatric equipment to buy and to hire in the home or a health care facility. For help follow the notes below.

Instructions for searching the ILC data base

• go to home page www.ilcaustralia.org.au
• click on "browse our equipment database here>>"
• click on "VIC" or the state you wish to access

For equipment PURCHASE follow

• select category of products to search, eg Beds, bed equipment
• select sub-category eg bed transference
• browse products- to view details click on picture or title
• to view supplier and prices scroll down to supplier details and click on supplier name

For equipment HIRE follow

• select Hire organisation and resources
• select Hire and Loan Services, Aids and Equipment

A range of bariatric assistive technology is available for hire. This equipment is designed for users of a large build, generally over 125kg in weight. Please contact the suppliers directly for specific information regarding load capacity  for the particular items that are available for hire.