Meetings to discuss health service needs

31 October 2011

Further community consultation meetings led by Hunter New England (HNE) Health were held at Inverell Hospital last week to discuss future local health needs.

Dr Sue Carter, HNE Health’s Director of Planning and Performance, said the consultations will provide a snapshot of the health service needs and expectations of local community members.

“As part of this local consultation exercise, we are assessing the current health services in Inverell and the priorities of the local community, and looking at ways to ensure strong sustainable services will be maintained,” Dr Carter said.

HNE Health plans to keep community members in the loop about what is realistic and sustainable, with consideration of the resources available.

“We need to look at what we’re doing well and where we can improve,” Dr Carter said. “Then we can begin to move forward, identifying strategies to address what the current health issues are for the community.”

Dr Carter led the meetings in conjunction with Senior Health Services Planner Deborah Lawson, McIntyre Cluster General Manager Maree Bacigalupo, and Acting Inverell Health Service Manager Matthew Krug.

Representatives from a wide cross-section of the community attended, including Inverell Shire Council, Inverell Hospital and Community Health services, McLean HN Memorial Retirement Village, Armajun Aboriginal Medical Service, Police, Ambulance, Inverell Hospital Auxiliary and volunteers, Aboriginal community members and local schools. Meetings will be held with additional community groups in coming weeks.

The meetings follow on from consultations in early October in both Inverell and Glen Innes which were led by HNE Health Chief Executive Michael DiRienzo and Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay and attended by Shire councillors, health service staff, clinicians, Local Health Advisory Council members, and other local community members.

Similar follow-up meetings will be held in Glen Innes on 3 and 4 November, where key groups will come together to provide additional insight into Glen Innes’ services and share their views on healthcare needs.

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: 4985 5522