About VicBIG
AIM of VicBIG
To raise the awareness enabling safe, dignified and caring management for the bariatric patients.
Director: Janet Hope Grad Dip Health Ed, RN
The Victorian Bariatric Interest Group (VicBIG) is the brain–child of its Director, Janet Hope.
For 10 years Janet was a Clinical Educator, Lecturer and Course Co-ordinator in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Deakin University for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Then, for twelve years, Janet redirected her career into management of the Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Unit in a Victorian hospital caring for numerous underweight, overweight and obese patients.
History
In the past, bariatric patients have suffered unnecessarily through the use of inefficient, unsuitable and "makeshift" transport and lifting equipment. In many cases there was no equipment at all.
Concerned about poor bariatric care, Janet sought advice from others through the Australian Resource Centre for Healthcare Innovations (ARCHI). All responses revealed that there was an alarming lack of experience, information and equipment in this area.
2002 - Janet began investigating how to educate, advise and support healthcare workers in bariatric patient care.
2003 - with Janet's acquired knowledge, the Victorian Bariatric Interest Group was established
2005 - Janet was invited to speak on "Managing the Obese Patient" at the "Change Champions" Conference, Sydney. This conference helped to significantly increase interest as well as establishing a branch in Queensland -"QBIG"
Membership
Membership provides a forum for health care staff to access people for information and to assist them in improving bariatric care.
Current VicBIG members are:
| Occupational therapists | Physiotherapists |
| Doctors | Nurses |
| OHS representatives | Equipment managers and purchasers |
|
WorkSafe |
Ambulance Victoria |
| Hospitals | Funeral homes |
| Equipment manufacturers and suppliers | Health care designers/architects |
Meetings
VicBIG meetings will provide a platform for guest speakers to talk about different aspects of bariatric patient care in:
March June September
Sponsors
Sponsorship is necessary to fund the ongoing work for VicBIG.
For further information on how to be a sponsor please go to Support.
'THE BEST FIT' makes the difference!
