Award-winning approach strengthens support for people experiencing violence, abuse and neglect
When people experiencing violence, abuse and neglect present to health services, clinicians are often in a unique position to recognise the signs, provide support and connect patients with the help they need.
The Prevention & Response to Violence, Abuse and Neglect (PARVAN) Strategic Team is ensuring staff across Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) have the skills, confidence and specialist support to do just that.
Bringing together six specialist programs under one coordinated function, PARVAN provides tailored education, consultation and trauma-and-violence-aware practice support to clinicians across the District. The collaborative model enables the team to identify emerging risks, respond to complex cases and build a more consistent, compassionate approach to care for vulnerable patients and families.
The team's innovative approach has been recognised with the Together Health Equity Award at the 2026 Together Awards.
Priority Populations Manager, Natasha McGing says the award reflects the collective efforts of the team to improve outcomes for people experiencing violence, abuse and neglect.
"Receiving the Together Health Equity Award is a great honour and recognises the collective efforts of our six specialist programs working together to improve outcomes for people experiencing violence, abuse and neglect. It highlights the strength of our collaborative approach and our commitment to providing safe, trauma-informed and equitable care for vulnerable members of our community," says Natasha.
The team's impact is reflected in growing demand for its specialist consultation and education services across the District. Clinicians consistently report feeling more confident responding to complex cases after accessing PARVAN's expertise, with tailored guidance helping to strengthen decision-making, improve patient safety and ensure people experiencing violence, abuse and neglect receive timely, culturally responsive support.
Looking ahead, Natasha says continuing to build workforce capability will remain central to strengthening health equity across the District.
"Through education, consultation, resources and specialist support, we can help ensure patients receive consistent, trauma-informed and violence-aware care wherever they access services," says Natasha.
By strengthening early identification, intervention and referral pathways, the PARVAN Strategic Team is helping reduce the impact of violence, abuse and neglect while improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable communities across NBMLHD.