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We will support country people to be as healthy as they can be and continue to play our part in the economic and social viability of country communities.

We have a significant impact on the communities we serve – as an employer, a service provider, a service partner and a key contributor to economic and social sustainability. We will continue to create positive and reciprocal relationships with country communities; working together to achieve healthy, sustainable and thriving communities. We will do so by increasing community engagement, consumer and community education, co-design of services, empowering consumers to make better health choices, increasing our investment in proactive and preventative care, partnering with other service providers and agencies, and ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of country communities.

Actions

Ensure country communities have genuine input in the design, delivery and improvement of health services
It is critical that our services engage with those who need them most, now and into the future. We will work closely with country communities and consumers to provide the information and support needed for them to be involved in the co-design of services that meet their specific needs. We will explore new approaches to supporting consumer and community partnerships in the design, delivery, improvement and evaluation of sustainable services. This is especially important to help address the significant disparity in health outcomes for Aboriginal and CALD people and for very remote communities.

Educate and empower individuals to make positive choices about their health and wellbeing
To improve health outcomes we must collectively place greater emphasis on the health literacy of country communities with regard to the causes of poor health and disease; empowering families and communities to live healthier lives. We will take an active, long-term approach to health promotion through partnerships with primary and community services, local government and community leaders with a focus on early intervention, education and self-management.

Create workplaces and services that are culturally-sensitive, inclusive, and accessible
We recognise that hospitals can be intimidating places, especially for disadvantaged, Aboriginal and CALD people. To deliver care that is culturally-sensitive, inclusive and accessible we will ensure that the diversity of country communities is better reflected in our workforce and workplaces. We will design our facilities, the cultural awareness of staff, the use of tailored outreach services, and our methods of communication and engagement to reinforce a culture of inclusivity.

Improving mental health and wellbeing
Supporting people living with mental illness, alcohol or other substance abuse conditions to stay well requires environments that enable them to achieve their goals. This requires timely access to the right services achieved by working closely with communities and other agencies. We will achieve integrated and improved health services through education, use of evidence, collaboration and innovation.

Measures of success

• ↓ Targeted potentially preventable hospitalisations
• ↑ Improved outcomes for patients with multiple or complex conditions
• ↑ Proportion of staff who are Aboriginal (reflective of the local population)
• ↓ Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) and do not wait (DNW) rates for Aboriginal consumers
• ↑ Access to mental health services