Murrumbidgee Communities Share Health Concerns

Twenty locals from Darlington Point and Coleambally took the opportunity to share their health experiences and concerns at Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN) Conversations on the Couch sessions on July 28.

MPHN’s Planning and Reporting Manager, Toni Preuss said those who attended provided a variety of thoughtful insights into the current health needs of the community.

“Some of the key concerns raised from Darlington Point locals included a lack of community and child health nurses, concerns around housing affordability and the cost of living pressures on health,” Ms Preuss said.

“We also heard many people express their appreciation for the local GP, community transport services and pharmacist.”

Coleambally locals shared concerns about the lack of community nursing services, the long-term financial feasibility of the local community aged care facility and the lack of childcare services being a factor in staff retention.

“I’d like to thank all community members who provided feedback during the event,” Ms Preuss said.

“The information provided is invaluable to guiding MPHN’s understanding of community concerns and experiences and the development of the region’s Health Needs Assessment.”

Conversations on the Couch is an MPHN initiative to capture health needs and concerns of local communities across the Murrumbidgee region as part of its Health Needs Assessment.

MPHN Acting CEO, Julie Redway said the organisation was constantly updating its Health Needs Assessment to understand emerging community needs and identify opportunities for improving health outcomes.

“One of the most important ways in which we measure if we have the right services in the right places at the right time is by asking people of the Murrumbidgee to give us feedback about what they need,” Ms Redway said.

“In addition to Conversations on the Couch, we are also providing community members in the Murrumbidgee Council area an opportunity to complete an online survey and I would like to thank all those who have taken the time to participate.”

Visit www.mphn.org.au/hna and scroll down to the blue survey buttons to provide feedback.

• Topics:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Community