Allied Health Professionals Day on October 14 recognises the experts who cover therapeutic, diagnostic and scientific professions.

The Allied Health Professionals Day returns on October 14 with this year’s theme, “Stronger together”, which highlights the benefits of multidisciplinary team-based care.  

Within the ACT, allied health can be found in hospitals, community health centres, GP surgeries, private practices, aged care, disability services, mental health services, schools and home-care services. 

There are more than 45 different professions identified by the government as registered allied health professionals.

The doctor who specialises in enhancing natural beauty

Working as a medical doctor for more than 15 years, Dr Hollie Berghofer has experience in rural emergency medicine, obstetrics, procedural and teaching. Recently she’s added another “hat to her name”. 

Dr Hollie’s newest venture, Atelier Medical Aesthetics looks at enhancing natural beauty, not changing it. 

A rarity in medical aesthetics, Dr Hollie says something that sets them apart is having a doctor-led team. 

Working alongside local registered nurse Olivia Hamill, Atelier is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, although Dr Hollie says they plan to expand their service hours next year due to popular demand. 

Atelier came to fruition after Dr Hollie began combining her extensive medical background with aesthetics. 

“I sort of stumbled into it, but it’s now my favourite of all of my jobs,” she says.

Coming out of winter and hitting the warmer months, Dr Hollie says skin boosters are the most popular service they provide. 

“Skin boosters provide hydration, even out skin tone and can tighten pores,” she says. 

“It’s a popular service as many lose the moisture in their skin during the colder months.” 

Atelier has recently bought with colleagues Skin Society a new UltraClear Laser . 

Exclusive to the two organisations, the laser is a first-of-its kind technology that targets surface damage, deep wrinkles, pigmentation and scars while reducing thermal damage and recovery downtime.

Atelier Medical Aesthetics, 125/25 Eastlake Parade, Kingston. Call 0493 281557 or visit atelieraesthetics.com.au

Providing culturally appropriate support for students

A not-for-profit organisation with a strong presence in the ACT community, Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled operation that provides support for trainees and apprentices to succeed in careers in health, disability, social services and related sectors. 

Bidjara and Mandandanji man, allied health graduate and IAHA team member Jed Fraser says: “IAHA’s programs represent what is possible through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, centering our knowledge and ways of working to create environments for our young people to succeed.” 

As someone who had gone through university with support from IAHA, Jed says he can see the difference that culturally safe programs make.

One of the programs that IAHA supports is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy, a program that empowers 40 to 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people each year. 

Over two years, the students complete a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance. 

In addition to supporting young people to finish year 12, obtain a qualification and transition to further education, training and employment, the program has been designed to expose students to different careers and pathways that exist as part of the health workforce.

COO Paul Gibson says: “The impact we see in IAHA’s programs, with a more than 85 per cent retention, completion and transition to employment rates, is built on how we work, and centering the benefits of culture.” 

Applications for the 2026 program are now open for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the region who are moving into year 11 next year. 

Indigenous Allied Health Australia, 9 Napier Close, Deakin, call 6285 1010 or visit iaha.com.au

Goodwin Allied Health: Supporting Canberra’s Seniors

As Canberra’s senior population expands, the demand for specialised healthcare is critical, and allied health services are essential for helping older adults maintain independence, improve quality of life, and manage chronic conditions. Goodwin Allied Health leads the way in providing comprehensive services tailored to seniors’ unique needs.

Allied Health Manager Brayden Murphey notes that these services, which can include physiotherapy and dietetics, are vital for addressing the physical and cognitive challenges seniors face. Goodwin’s experienced team provides personalised assessments and treatment plans for conditions such as arthritis, stroke, frequent falls, and Parkinson’s Disease.

A key benefit is promoting independence and delaying the need for long-term care. By offering tailored interventions, Goodwin’s professionals help seniors live more comfortably in their own homes, reducing strain on caregivers and the healthcare system. In addition to in-home and clinic-based care, Goodwin also offers group therapy to promote social engagement.

Goodwin’s Wellness Centres are equipped with state-of-the-art HUR gym equipment. This equipment features a unique isokinetic design, ensuring safe and controlled workouts to help seniors improve strength, balance, and coordination while reducing injury risk. The gym, conveniently located at George Sautelle House in Farrer, is also open to Canberra’s seniors by appointment for supervised exercise programs.

To further enhance services, Goodwin will partner with Guide Healthcare to provide restorative care services starting 1 November. Says Jamie Fillingham, Goodwin Executive Manager Home Care and Business Transformation: “This partnership is about keeping our clients ahead of the curve. Restorative care is a key focus under the new Commonwealth Support at Home program, which will replace both the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs from 1 November 2025. By collaborating with Guide Healthcare, we’re ensuring Goodwin is ready to deliver the specialised, goal-oriented support that helps older Australians maintain their independence and wellbeing through this major reform.”

goodwin.org.au/allied-health

Putting the right foot forward in podiatry

The podiatry team at The Walking Clinic specialises in issues with lower limbs, including the hips, knees and feet, says podiatrist Victoria Thompson.

“This can range from conditions due to running and overuse injuries (such plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinopathy), to undertaking gait assessments, exercise prescription, footwear modifications or making custom-prescription orthotics,” she says. 

“We can also manage ingrown toenails and nail concerns as well as the assessment of diabetic foot care and concerns.”

Victoria says movement is vital to a healthy life. 

“We see patients daily who are struggling to keep walking or running due to pain or issues with their feet or lower legs,” she says. 

“Our team helps people get back on their feet and manage their pain so that they can go back to exercising and doing what they love.” 

Early intervention to manage leg/foot conditions or concerns is key, and Victoria says it’s great to see a patient before they even have a foot concern. 

“Our favourite saying is, ‘prevention is better than any cure’,” she says. 

Victoria says they enjoy nothing more than seeing a client come into the clinic to let their podiatrists know they are meeting their goals and are back to enjoying life. 

The Walking Clinic is located in Lyneham, Woden, Belconnen, Garran and Manuka, visit walkingclinic.com.au

‘Missing piece’ of healthcare has much to offer

Non-medical, or allied health, services are not optional extras, they are often the difference between short-term fixes and long-term success, says medical director of The Mother Hub, Dr Sarah Bombell.

Offering a range of allied health services to compliment medical care, Dr Bombell says true success comes from the combination of services. 

“Our team includes endorsed midwives and International Board Certified lactation consultations, a pediatric osteopath and a diabetic educator,” she says. 

Using an integrated, collaborative model of care to provide support for breastfeeding, postnatal recovery, musculoskeletal issues, infant feeding challenges, diabetes and wound management, and holistic pregnancy/postpartum care, Dr Bombell says they bring these services together so families can access everything they need in one safe and supportive place. 

“This means clients don’t have to repeat their story multiple times or navigate a fragmented health system,” says Dr Bombell. 

“Instead, they receive wraparound, compassionate care that is truly centred on them.” 

Dr Bombell says allied health is often the missing piece in healthcare. 

“It fills the space between medical intervention and everyday wellness by supporting clients in ways that are proactive, preventative and deeply practical,” she says. 

The Mother Hub, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Call 6196 6722 or visit themotherhub.com.au

Holistic services looking after the mind and body

An allied health practice with a difference, Arthritis ACT CEO Rebecca Davey says their mission is to show those living with chronic pain or a disability that they are not alone and are not without access to reliable help. 

Alongside a team of physios, exercise physiologists and occupational therapists, as well as a team of peer workers, many of Rebecca’s crew (herself included) have lived experience of the conditions they support others with. 

This, Rebecca says, is important, as it creates empathetic relationships between the professionals and their clientele. 

“It’s hard to have an outside perspective on some chronic conditions,” she says. 

“That’s why we are here to make a difference by providing quality care and support for the community.” 

Social connection is another point of pride for Rebecca. 

“Arthritis ACT offers ongoing programs for people who need any type of support with their chronic pain or debilitating fatigue conditions,” she says. 

Many of these programs have created a community, with members now meeting outside of their programs for coffees.

Every day, Rebecca says she hears people say: “You’ve changed my life”.

“At Arthritis ACT, we provide holistic services to look after your mind and body.”

Arthritis ACT has also recently welcomed a new hydrotherapy pool in Tuggeranong that Rebecca says will immensely benefit the community by expanding their services to the southside of Canberra.

“Many people attending any of our classes have become close friends and bond over shared experiences.”

Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce, call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

Shane’s bringing home the gift of sight

Clear vision is one of life’s essentials, yet many Canberrans live with poor eyesight because they can’t get to an optometrist. 

Left unchecked, conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular disease can affect sight. 

Angel Eyecare founder Shane Brookman says the biggest tragedy from this is that 90 per cent of blindness is preventable with early detection and treatment. 

A Canberra-based mobile in-home optometry service, Shane says they share the gift of sight with those who need it most.

“As a volunteer-based community initiative, Angel Eyecare provides free eye exams at home for residents across the ACT, whether in aged-care facilities, nursing homes, veteran centres, hospitals or private homes,” he says. 

“Appointments operate on a waitlist basis, but patients also have the option to skip the queue by donation, helping to keep the service running for those in need.”

Using advanced portable technology, Shane and his team conduct full eye exams at their patient’s home to screen for cataract, glaucoma and macular disease while also providing prescriptions for new glasses. 

Shane says they offer their services to everyone, including non-verbal or those speaking a different language to ensure “no one is left behind”.

“Many times, a new pair of glasses means someone can once again read their newspaper, watch television or recognise loved ones, restoring dignity and independence,” he says. 

“Angel Eyecare’s mission is simple. Provide a vital community service that helps people see better from the comfort and privacy of their home, while preventing avoidable blindness.”

Angel Eyecare, call 5119 3112 or visit angeleyecare.com.au 

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