A Leeton healthcare planning project has taken its next major step forward following the recent Prioritisation Workshop held on 26 August at the Hydro Hotel. The Collaborative Care Project, supported by NSW Health and led locally by Rural Doctors Network (RDN) in partnership with Leeton stakeholders, aims to improve community access to vital health services in Leeton.

Community leaders, health professionals, government representatives, and local organisations came together to review evidence-based health services gaps and to identify the most pressing health priorities for Leeton.

After robust discussion, the Working Group identified three key priorities to guide the next phase of the project.

Priority 1 - Care Coordination & Interagency Communication

The first is care coordination and interagency communication, with a focus on strengthening collaboration across services and ensuring patients experience “no wrong first door” when seeking support.

Priority 2 - Mental Health

The second is mental health, where efforts will centre on meeting broad community needs, making services easier to navigate, and addressing the challenges of fragmented, siloed programs.

Priority 3 - Enhancing Primary Care with Focus on Family and Children

The third priority is enhancing primary care access, particularly in family and children’s health, by improving GP and allied health availability, building community confidence in local services, and supporting Leeton’s significant population of young families.

These priorities were drawn from extensive community input, local health provider engagement and health data analysis.

Local partners NSW Health, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Leeton Shire Council, Leeton and District Local Aboriginal Land Council, and Rural Doctors Network will now investigate opportunities to address these priorities in a coordinated approach using the collective resources we have available.

Community Project Officer, Maryann Iannelli, said the project is about harnessing the collective strengths of Leeton’s community, health professionals, and agencies to build sustainable improvements in local health.

“The priorities identified reflect both the challenges and the opportunities we face, and we are committed to working together to make real change.”

Leeton Shire Council Deputy Mayor Michael Kidd said Council is pleased to play a role in this joint effort to enhance health services in Leeton.

“Council is pleased to be part of this collaborative effort to strengthen health services in Leeton. These priorities will help address the priority issues and challenges our community faces and give us a clear direction for the future. By working hand-in-hand with our partners, we can ensure that every person in Leeton – from young families to our older residents – has better access to the care and support they need.”

About the Collaborative Care Project
The Leeton Collaborative Care Project is facilitated by Rural Doctors Network (RDN) on behalf of local stakeholders and supported by the NSW Ministry of Health, Regional Health Division. The project aims to strengthen health service delivery, address local challenges, and improve health outcomes through genuine community collaboration.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Maryann Iannelli
Community Project Officer – Collaborative Care Project (RDN)
T: 02 4924 8083 | E: miannelli@rdnhealth.org

Justyn Walker

Collaborative Care Project Lead (RDN)

T: +61 2 4924 8066 | jwalker@rdnhealth.org