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 Rural Doctors Network (RDN) 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, Rural Doctors Network, 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 project group identified three main priorities. These will help shape the project plan:

1. Improving how 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 growing local Aboriginal health services so care is easier to access, culturally safe, and not duplicated.

2. Supporting prevention and community wellbeing

Helping people understand their health and make informed choices. This may include community programs that focus on staying healthy, getting help early, and using approaches that are culturally safe and support all communities.

3. Finding ways to reduce transport barriers

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