Foreword

We are proud to serve the communities of Western NSW. The Western NSW Local Health District Strategic Plan 2025-2030 sets the direction for the work we will do together in the years ahead. This plan belongs to all of us, our staff, our communities, and our partners. It reflects the voices we’ve heard through many conversations and sets out a clear and practical direction for the future. 

The role of a health district is complex. Every day, we provide care and treatment in urgent, challenging and deeply human moments. At the same time, we promote, protect and maintain the health and wellbeing of our communities. Both responsibilities are vital, and both depend on the dedication, skill, and compassion of our people. 

Western NSW is one of the most unique regions in the state. Our geography is wide, and distances are vast, our communities are diverse, and the health needs are significant. Rural communities face higher rates of chronic disease, ageing populations, and barriers in accessing specialist services. 

But these challenges also create opportunities. They drive innovation,
agility in service delivery and strengthen partnerships, connecting us more closely to the people we serve. Our staff are not separate from our communities, they are part of them. The people we care for are our families, friends and neighbours. That connection is our greatest strength. 

This plan has been shaped around the core of what we do as a health district: 

• Providing safe and high-quality care, closer to home.
• Supporting people to stay well in their communities.
• Growing and valuing a strong rural workforce.
• Building systems and partnerships that are smart, sustainable and future-ready. 

Above all, this plan places people at the centre. It reflects the voices of our staff, our partners, and our communities. It gives us a clear direction for how we will continue to deliver the care people need today, while building a stronger, fairer and more sustainable health system for tomorrow.