BCHS Annual Report 2025 - Report - Page 36
Alcohol and other drugs
New trainees
change careers
AOD trainees Martin, Aysha, Brohgan
and Jacob joined the team early in 2025.
The four new recruits answered the call
to change careers and, in turn, bolster
the AOD workforce in central Victoria.
With backgrounds in factory work,
administration, retail and security, each
has embarked on a journey of discovery
via a new role at BCHS.
They will spend 12 months undertaking a
formal quali昀椀cation in Alcohol and Other
Drugs while gaining hands-on experience
in residential withdrawal, the needle and
syringe program, pharmacotherapy,
counselling and family drug support.
Change of leadership builds on
care at Nova House
At Nova House, our 24/7 residential service
provides medically supervised withdrawal support
for people detoxing from alcohol and other drugs.
In a safe, comfortable environment, people can
withdraw from substances with specialist nursing
care, medical and wellbeing support that helps
them through what can be a challenging physical
and emotional process. The team also provides
support for people who are able to withdraw at
home.
Leadership transitions have shaped the year while
preserving the heart of what we do. Sheenah Van
Eck stepped back from senior leadership to focus
on what she loves most: providing direct nursing
care to clients as a much-adored part-time team
member. Her decades of compassionate, nonjudgemental care continue to inspire and guide our
daily practice.
Amanda Gould has stepped into the leadership of
AOD Clinical Services, already driving thoughtful
growth while preserving what makes Nova special:
a place where people can heal without shame,
surrounded by care teams who celebrate every
small victory.
As our region's only 24/7 residential withdrawal
service, Nova remains a beacon of hope for families
watching their loved ones struggle. The outstanding
feedback we receive reminds us that when people
feel truly cared for, recovery becomes possible.
Operations Manager Mental Health & AOD Services Cilla Boucher and
AOD Clinical Services Senior Leader Amanda Gould
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