Calling community volunteers interested in health issues in Murrurundi

27 August 2009

The Murrurundi Community Hospital may be small but it has a keen Local Health Advisory Committee that works to ensure that people in Murrurundi are represented and that their views are heard on local health issues.

The committee is looking for new community members to help them in their endeavours.

Members are joined by Murrurundi Health Service Manager Judy Collison and Upper Hunter Cluster General Manager Debbie Jaggers at each of their meetings, where they discuss current services and opportunities for improvement.

Each health facility within Hunter New England Health has a Local Health Advisory Committee whose members serve as a conduit between the health service providers and the community.

Local Health Advisory Committees perform a vital role in advising and assisting the health service to continually improve services.

Murrurundi Health Service Manager Judy Collison said people from all walks of life could nominate to become LHAC members.

“Ideally members would have a wide network of local connections and knowledge, which can help us foster two-way communication between the health service and the community,” Ms Collison said.

“We need enthusiastic Murrurundi residents who have an interest in improving the health of the community to join us.”

The role of the Murrurundi Local Health Advisory Committee is to provide advice and input to the health service on issues which directly affect the community, including:
• To help influence decision making about local health services by providing an effective conduit from the local health service to the community and back
• To be involved or consulted in the development of, or changes to, health services in the local community, including providing advice to the health service based on members’ experience with community projects and activities
• Forge linkages with existing or planned Hunter New England Health strategic and promotional activities to maximise efforts to share important health information

Anyone who would like to join this Local Health Advisory Committee, taking an active role in promoting wellness and discussion local health issues in Murrurundi, can contact Judy Collison on (02) 6546 9023 for further information and an application form.

Applications close on Wednesday, 23 September, 2009.

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183