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 surrounding the coastal towns of Merimbula, Pambula and Eden can access the care 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 Southern NSW Local Health District, Bega Valley Shire Council, and Coordinaire. The consultation process will collect feedback from the community through a community survey and interviews with local health providers.