Health outcomes for the region’s population received a boost after Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) and Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) signed a Collaborative Agreement in Wagga Wagga this week.
The agreement formalises a history of cooperation between the two organisations and comes after the MPHN and MLHD boards met in late 2022 to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the region’s health care system.
MPHN’s firsthealth Board Chair Dr Jodi Culbert said the agreement would enable a united approach to addressing the poorer health outcomes and challenges faced by people in rural and regional areas when accessing health services.
“MLHD and MPHN are committed to working together to implement NSW and federal government healthcare reforms and activities, and to advocate for local change when required,” Dr Culbert said.
“In fact, for several years, both organisations have worked together at the highest of levels to ensure people in the Murrumbidgee have access to quality and coordinated healthcare regardless of where they live. The relationship has grown and cascaded down through both organisations into an advanced and mature model.
“As MLHD and MPHN continue to collaborate, we believe the joint activities, initiatives, and projects we undertake will support a more sustainable health system, reduce fragmentation, and provide people with a more coordinated journey through the health system that meets their needs.”
Three key focus areas will guide the MPHN and MLHD collaboration activity:
Enhance collaboration to optimise use of the health workforce and support wellbeing of providers.
Identify, review, and develop models of care that enhance coordination, efficiency, and patient experience.
Facilitate joint information, data sharing and planning to understand and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.
MLHD Board Chair Glynis Ingram said collaboration and partnership between both organisations was key to implementing government reforms and activities.
“The unique partnership between MLHD and MPHN is critical to meet the needs of our communities – both those accessing and providing care,” Ms Ingram said.
“We know when we work collaboratively together, we have the opportunity to create efficiencies, innovations and streamline healthcare journeys for patients, which ultimately leads to improvements in health outcomes for people.
“This Collaborative Agreement formalises the existing partnership and strong commitment between both organisations to work towards a shared vision of one health system for the Murrumbidgee.”
Communities in Griffith and surrounding areas are encouraged to take precautions against mosquito bites as NSW Health’s routine mosquito surveillance has detected Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus.
Griffith surgeon, Dr Jayachandran Narayan, has been awarded the 2024 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Outstanding Service to the Community Award.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is delighted to announce that Midwifery Manager Sandra Forde has been awarded the highly respected 2024 Don Kendell Memorial Leadership Award. The award, presented at our Annual Public Meeting, honours individuals who exemplify the leadership qualities that Don Kendell himself championed—commitment, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to improving healthcare.