The role of LPHUs
Victoria's Local Public Health Units (LPHUs) work with the Department of Health (the department) to keep their local communities healthy, safe and well. They use local knowledge, community-based relationships and direct engagement to effectively tailor and deliver public health initiatives and respond to incidents and issues within their local area.
LPHUs were established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage local cases and outbreaks of COVID-19. From July 2022 LPHUs have begun undertaking additional public health responsibilities for various other notifiable conditions.
LPHUs administer programs for disease prevention and population health. This includes responding to COVID-19 and other infectious disease case investigations, outbreaks and public health programs that impact their region.
Medical practitioners and pathology departments are still required to notify conditions to the department in accordance with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. On notification, the department will manage public health follow-up, or allocate it to the relevant LPHU.
LPHUs work closely with their local health services, primary and community health services, other state government agencies and local government and local communities. This community work includes follow on from the Primary Care Partnerships (PCP) Program
Although LPHUs are led by health services, they do not provide urgent medical care or treatment advice.
Patients who are unwell should contact their general practitioner or local health service. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Contact details for LPHUs in Victoria
Metropolitan LPHUs
North Eastern Public Health Unit (led by Austin Health)
Phone: (03) 9496 5000
Email:
- admin.nephu@austin.org.au
- healthprotection.nephu@austin.org.au (Health Protection, Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine enquiries (including disease and outbreak management)
- populationhealth.nephu@austin.org.au (Population Health and Health Promotion enquiries (including healthy eating, and sexual and reproductive health initiatives)
South East Public Health Unit (led by Monash Health)
Phone: (03) 9594 0570
Email:
- SEPHU.trace@monashhealth.org (Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control)
- SEPHU.Partnership@monashhealth.org (Health Promotion and Partnerships)
- communityengagement@monashhealth.org (Community Engagement)
Barwon South West (led by Barwon Health)
- Phone: (03) 4215 4000
- Email: phu@barwonhealth.org.au
Goulburn Valley (led by Goulburn Valley Health)
- Phone: 1800 313 070
- Email: PHU@gvhealth.org.au
Gippsland (led by Latrobe Regional Hospital)
- Phone: (03) 5173 5451
- Email: grphu@lrh.com.au
Grampians (led by Grampians Health)
- Phone: 1300 988 908
- Email: phu@gh.org.au
Ovens Murray (led by Albury Wodonga Health)
- Phone: (02) 6058 4444
- Email: omphu@awh.org.au
Loddon Mallee (led by Bendigo Health)
- Phone: 1800 959 400
- Email: LMPHU@bendigohealth.org.au
Updated