The Collaborative Care Program is a community-centred approach to addressing the health care challenges in rural and regional NSW. The Program is coordinated by RDN Health and is supported by the NSW Ministry of Health to provide rural communities with the tools and support they need to solve complex health challenges. Click here for more information.

The project aims to ensure that residents in Eden can access the healthcare services they need. The project will identify the unique healthcare needs of the community and the best way to address them with the resources we have.

The project will examine how health care services can work together to support the health and wellbeing of the community. This includes general practice, hospital services, community health, mental health, allied health, pharmacy, Aboriginal health, and patient transport services.

The project group will ask local health professionals and community members what the community needs to be healthy and stay healthy. The process will give residents the chance to have their say on the healthcare services that matter to them through a community survey. The group will also interview health professionals who work in these communities. Local representatives will then identify healthcare priorities based on this evidence and the available healthcare data.

The project group includes representatives from Bega Valley Shire Council, Coordinaire, RDN Health, and Southern NSW Local Health District. The consultation process will collect feedback from the community through a community survey and interviews with local health providers.

The Eden Collaborative Care project group identified three priorities based on the consultation with the community:

1. Improving how health services work together

Making it easier for health services to work in the same place or in a more connected way. This may include helping people find the right care and making services easier to access and culturally safe.

2. Supporting prevention and community wellbeing

Helping people maintain their health and make informed choices. This may include community programs that focus on staying healthy, staying connected, keeping a positive mindset, and getting help early.

3. Finding ways to reduce transport barriers

Looking at solutions that make it easier for people to access healthcare, including Aboriginal people who need culturally appropriate services. This may include better transport options or bringing services closer to where people live.