Central Coast Local Health District will receive a major boost with the recent announcement of the establishment if a new Regional Health Division for NSW Health.
Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor, said the new division will ensure there is a renewed focus on the health services and outcomes for people living in regional and rural NSW, including on the Central Coast.
“The establishment of the Regional Health Division is a key step towards ensuring the public health system has the needs and expectations of the communities of regional NSW at its heart,” Taylor said.
“Every day thousands of people receive quality care in our regional health centres, but we know that more needs to be done to address the issues facing health in regional areas, as highlighted by the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry, to ensure everybody receives good outcomes.
“The Regional Health Division will support the NSW Government’s commitment to bring a renewed focus on recruitment to key healthcare roles in regional NSW and to find innovative ways to support nurses, doctors, allied health practitioners, and the vital support service providers who work in healthcare facilities, to live and work in our regional communities.”
Taylor said the new division will sit at the top level within the Ministry of Health and ensure strong advocacy of regional health issues, while also leveraging the strengths of the public health system for the benefit of regional NSW.
“The Division will be led by a Coordinator-General for Regional Health, (who) will report directly to the Secretary of NSW Health, Susan Pearce, and support and provide advice to the Minister for Regional Health about issues concerning health in regional communities,” Taylor said.
In addition, each regional Local Health District (LHD) will appoint someone who will report directly and be a key interface with the new division to help deliver on its objectives.
The Regional Health Division will support the Regional Health Minister to respond to the recommendations of the NSW Rural Health Inquiry and support and coordinate the development and implementation of a new Regional Health Plan.
It will provide a single point of contact and advocacy for issues that are common across the regional health environment, including matters of long term concern such as workforce attraction and retention, cross border issues and communication and engagement with communities, clinicians and stakeholders.
It will also identify opportunities to enhance local access to health and other social services that support quality health outcomes, including IPTAAS policy and reporting and strengthening pathways to other social services.
The division will integrate health, social and economic data, business intelligence tools and stakeholder feedback.
Source:
Media release, Apr 8
NSW Health Department