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Area Health Advisory Council visiting Tamworth
Hunter New England Health’s Area Health Advisory Council (the Council) will visit Tamworth Hospital this Wednesday (16 April) and will meet with staff, local clinicians and community engagement groups to learn more about the range of services offered in the region.
The Council was established in 2005 and is appointed by the NSW Minister for Health. It has 13 members who are appointed with either experience as a clinician or in community representation.
The Council provides strategic advice to Hunter New England Health in a range of areas, such as policy development, workforce planning and service planning. It has a key role in ensuring that the views of clinicians, communities and patients are heard, particularly in relation to the quality and accessibility of health services.
The chair of Hunter New England Health’s AHAC, Associate Professor Lyn Fragar said the best way for the Council to understand the issues and opportunities facing local health services is to get out and visit as many places as possible.
“We visit around six local health services each year to get a first-hand look at key achievements and issues of concern. Over the past year, we have visited health services at Muswellbrook, Moree, Forster, Armidale, Inverell and Newcastle,” Assoc Professor Fragar said.
“At each of our meetings, we make a point of scheduling time in our agenda to talk with local clinicians as well as representatives from Hunter New England Health’s community engagement groups.
“These sessions have been extremely valuable for all parties. The clinicians and community groups have a chance to raise any concerns or issues they’re facing, or share any things about the local health service that they’re particularly proud of.
“In addition the Council members get a feel for what’s happening on the ground. We also can help elevate to a higher priority any issues that require action. We hope that this gives the people we meet with confidence that we are there assist where we can and that we do care about the challenges they face,” she said.
Assoc Professor Fragar said the AHAC was looking forward to visiting Tamworth and talking with the staff and community engagement groups as part of Wednesday’s meeting.
“We look forward to learning about recent developments at Tamworth Hospital and local services, and how they’re benefiting the communities served by the Tamworth Hospital,” Assoc Professor Fragar said.
“For instance, I understand we will be told about funding to support a cardiac catheterisation lab and the employment of two new stroke care coordinators for the region.”
“Meeting health workforce needs is a problem in most centres that we have visited, and the Council will be interested to hear how this issue is being tackled for Tamworth”, she said.
“We are also looking forward to meeting community groups again. The Peel Community Forum for Health and the Tamworth Local Health Advisory Committee have been playing an important role in raising health issues of concern for the community, and we want to hold follow-up discussions with their representatives,” Assoc Professor Fragar said.
Please contact Emma Gibbs if you would like to request an interview with Assoc Professor Lyn Fragar.
Please also let Emma know if you will be attending a filming/photo opportunity with the AHAC out the front of Tamworth Hospital Emergency Department on Wednesday 16 April at 9.45am.
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: (02) 6767 7137
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