Healthy communities, local voices
We work with communities to ensure health services are shaped by local voices, are culturally safe, and are focused on keeping people physically and mentally healthy and well.
Why this matters
Healthy rural communities make for healthier rural people. When services are shaped by listening to local voices, are culturally safe, and focused on prevention and the social drivers of health, people stay well in their homes and communities. This reduces demand on acute services, builds trust, and narrows inequities in health outcomes and access, particularly for Aboriginal communities and other priority groups.
What we will do
Focus on Closing the Gap in health outcomes through targeted prevention, early detection, and care that responds to the priority health needs of Aboriginal people across the life course.
Ensure Aboriginal voices, leadership and lived experience are central to planning, governance and service delivery.
Strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal communities, community controlled organisations, and key stakeholders in planning and decision-making.
Strengthen local initiatives that reduce poor health risk factors, support healthy lifestyles, social and emotional wellbeing, and detect illness early across the life course.
Focus on a healthy start to life through wellbeing in the first 2000 days of life. Embed prevention into every stage of care to keep people well and out of hospital.
Work with local councils, community organisations, and government agencies to strengthen initiatives, programs, and partnerships that improve access to housing, education, transport, employment, and social supports that help keep people well. Advocate for policies and change that support the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Expand outreach, out of hospital services, hospital in the home services, and digital health, including initiatives to improve digital inclusion.
Strengthen coordination with primary care, social care, justice, aged care, disability and mental health and drug and alcohol providers, to reduce avoidable hospitalisations and help people live well within their communities.
Embed genuine community voice and lived experience in planning, design, and evaluation of services. Build long-term relationships and ensure care models reflect the values, priorities, and cultural diversity of local communities.
Co-design health information and consumer information that is accessible, inclusive and culturally safe. Build health literacy so people can better understand their health, make informed decisions, and confidently find their way through the health system.
What success will look like
- Health services, programs and models of care are culturally safe, family-centred, and responsive to the needs and priorities of all communities, including Aboriginal communities.
- Strong ongoing partnerships with communities, local councils and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
- Increased participation of communities in planning, design, and evaluation of services.
- Fewer preventable hospital admissions and better integration of prevention and early intervention.
- Increased access to effective and sustainable health promotion and wellbeing programs across the life course and supporting the first 2000 days of life.
- Improved access to social supports that influence health, including housing, education, employment, and transport.
- People feel informed, supported, and empowered to manage their own health.
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