On 14 November, 2008, the North West Group of Councils and RWAV hosted a Health
Workforce workshop with key stakeholders in the West Wimmera region.
The workshop was developed following community consultation on a range of local
issues.
The major focus of the day was to put the Wimmera Communities’ health needs
in the middle of our planning process and develop long term health workforce solutions
around the regions requirements. This ensures that in all professional roles, the
achievement will be the same – a coordinated approach to better health for
the Wimmera region.
The workshop was hosted by the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria, as part of its Sustainable
Practice Project, using funding from Regional Development Victoria (RDV).
The support of RDV is gratefully acknowledged.
This document reviews the issues raised and outcomes achieved. Copies of the presentations
have been made available to participants.
Outcomes of the Forum
A brief overview of the three issues that agreed actions were initiated from the
forum follows:
- Over reliance on agency nurses
AGREED ACTION - John Smith (West Wimmera Health Service) and Allen
Donelly (Grampians DHS) to prepare a submission to the National Rural Health Alliance
and distribute copy.
- Allied Health retention and recruitment
AGREED ACTION - Chris Scott (Wimmera Health Care Group), Dean
Taylor and Sue Daly(DHS) and Bev Phillip (Latrobe University) to develop a sub regional
allied health outreach model proposal and distribute copy.
- Sub regional infrastructure, models of service delivery, co-ordination,
service planning and provision
AGREED ACTION - Wimmera PCP to convene a meeting with CEOs (Health
Services, Local Government, other relevant agencies) in Wimmera PCP catchment. Invite
Moira Health Alliance and local government to present on their solutions to their
workforce issues.
What next?
The workshop agreed that key stakeholders would continue to meet to examine further
collaborative efforts.
RWAV thanks participants for their valuable contribution and looks forward to building
our workforce partnership with you.
Presentations
Proudly sponsored by RDV.