(Please see our contacts page to make direct contact with our support coordinators throughout Australia.)

Even though some genito-urinary abnormalities are common, they are rarely discussed openly, which means individuals and their families sometimes feel isolated and alone.  BEECHAC wants to create a community where people feel supported and that they belong.

One of BEECHAC's main aims is to provide support for its members. We hope to do this by such activities as setting up support groups, providing information for members on relevant health professionals and financial assistance to attend conferences, operations, procedures.

Setting up support groups in each state and/or territory

One of the major aims of BEECHAC is to set up support groups nationally and in each state and territory to provide support across geographical regions, age groups, family groups, the range of disorders covered by BEECHAC, or for any reason that people feel they need to get together.  Members of our support groups will provide support to each other especially in times of stress like pre, during and post operations.

Fun and fundraising activities

We look forward to organising fun activities such as trivia nights, fundraising dinners and camps for various age groups and times of just getting together and talking on the phone:, by email or in person.

Mentor program

We intend to establish a mentor arrangement where someone who needs help and support will be linked up to a person who can provide them with advice adn referrals and generally be a friend when you are in need. The mentor program will be for people with one of the disabilities and/or for their family member/s or friends.

Other useful organisations for support

Until our support groups are set up and working well, you may like to use the following information and links to some of the organisations that may be able to help you.

The Wee Kids Foundation

http://www.weekids.org.au

The Wee Kids Foundation started about seven years ago in Melbourne to assist children with Bladder Exstrophy, Epispadias and a variety of urinary health issues.  The Wee Kids Foundation has many activities that enhance standards and support the quality care of children with "plumbing" problems and support the continued empowerment of parental and community understanding of all things "paediatric urological." 

The activities include research projects in conjunction with Melbourne University and Monash University with the main focus on foetal abnormalities and bladder instability.  The Wee Kids has an ongoing program of awareness raising, education sessions and printed materials for General Practitioners, other health providers, the education system and the general public.  The Wee Kids provides fundraising activities that are fun and include an annual dinner and auction of art and crafts, kids camps, picnics and trivia nights.

Australian Council of Stoma Associations

http://australianstoma.com.au

This association was started twenty five years ago to support  people with ostomies including ileostomies, urostomies and colonostomies. 

It is particularly for people with Chrohns Disease, but is also for anyone needing support who has an ostomy or needs equipment used by ostomy patients for other reasons.

Family Drug Support

http://www.fds.org.au

Family Drug Support (FDS) is part of the Damien Tringingham Foundation started ten years ago by Tony Tringingham after his son, Damien, sadly died from a drug overdose.  FDS provide a regular comprehensive newsletter to members and have a 24-hour hotline available for anyone needing advice about managing alcohol and/or drug use in their family or for a friend.  FDS also provides group sessions throughout Australia that meet regularly for family members to attend to gain support.

Siblings Australia Inc

http://www.siblingsaustralia.org.au

Siblings Australia Inc is a unique national organisation committed to providing support for brothers and sisters of people with special needs, including disability, chronic illness and mental health issues.  Siblings Australia provides workshops, print and web based resources and networking opportunities for families and providers across Australia and overseas.  On their website you will find information on services, products, books, research, forums, reference groups. There is also a comprehensive directory of services for each state and territory.

Carers Australia

http://www.carersaustralia.com.au

Carers Australia provides unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are frail. 

The purpose of Carers Australia and the network of carers associations in each state and territory is to improve the lives of carers.  Carers Australia provides important services such as counselling, advice, advocacy, education and training and promotes the recognition of carers to government, business and the wider public.  Their website can be personalised according to your specific needs and interests under the section “Getting the most out of this website.” 

Contacts for Carers in every state and territory are available on their website.

Information about health professionals

BEECHAC intends to provide a comprehensive list of health professionals relevant to our members needs, in each state and territory and information about their expertise and experience to assist our members to start finding and choosing professionals that suit the needs of our families, the disability our members have, their age and any other needs. The lists will include information on paediatric urologists, adult urologists, clinical nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors and alternative health professionals. Until further information is available we are using lists already on various websites from medical associations and organisations.  These include:

The Urology Society of Australia and New Zealand

http://www.urosoc.org.au

The Urology Society of Australia and New Zealand is an administrative body for urological surgeons.  Their website provides a comprehensive, although not exhaustive, list of urological surgeons in each state and territory.

The doctors listed are all members of the society. If you don’t already have a urologist and are looking for a urologist in your home town, capital city or anywhere in your state or territory you can look up this site This list includes urologists in New Zealand and some medico-legal doctors. The site has details of all urologists in the Society by state or territory.

If you are referred to a urologist, you can confirm their membership with the Urological Society of Australia by phone: or email.

The Australian Psychological Society

http://www.psychology.org.au

The Australian Psychological Society is the largest professional association for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 16,000 members.  Their mission is to represent, promote and advance psychology within the context of improving community wellbeing and scientific knowledge. The website provides a comprehensive list of psychologists throughout Australia, including the expertise of the psychologist as well as where to get specific information on issues such as addiction, ADHD, coping with traumatic events, depression, and workplace issues. We hope eventually there will be particular information about psychologists who specialise in psycho and sexual issues for which a number of our members need support.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)

http://www.ranzcp.org

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is the principal organisation representing the medical specialty of psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand. There vision is to provide a fellowship of psychiatrists working with and for the general community to achieve the best attainable quality of psychiatric care and mental health. The website provides information on how to obtain a referral from a GP, as well as information about gaining assistance for specific needs. There is information about the contacts in each the state and territory. The national office contact details are provided below.

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ)

http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/qnt/qntdr.htm

This USA based agency provides an important guide to choosing your doctor. It provides a quick check list for quality, how to decide what you want and need in your doctor, ensuring you “shop around” for a good doctor and investigate several doctors if possible. Also, make sure the doctor will have a health care plan for you or your family member. It provides lists of what to look for in a good doctor and also information on choosing  a hospital, long term care, and also provides links to other similar websites about quality health care.