Local health has changed shape in several ways in the last few years, and while an effort is being made to introduce improved models, old models are being left in the dust that we can only hope we won’t need later. 

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is trialling a new model to localise health care, and has called on the community to put their hands up to have a say. 

With local health councils - a previous model of community consultation - being a thing of the past, it remains to be seen whether this new model will add to the quality of services.

After establishing a Sub-Region Health Planning Committee (SRHPC) in the Central West, including Narromine, Peak Hill, Trangie and Wellington, the local health district now has plans to take the model to the Northern region of Bourke, Collarenebri, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge and Walgett. 

A WNSWLHD spokesperson said that the loss of the health councils were a result of public interest. 

“Our District has traditionally used location-based health councils as its engagement model, which has been in place for decades. While health councils continue to operate in some locations, they have increasingly experienced a lack of interest in others,” they said. 

Member of former local health councils in both Baradine and Dubbo Bernie Underwood said she’s concerned about what difference the new councils will make, particularly if interest has been lost.

“They want someone from every town within the region to join the committee, but getting someone to join the health council was like winning the lottery,” Mrs Underwood said. 

“We couldn’t get people, especially youngish people…I should’ve retired years ago."

While there are similarities between the two models, the new sub-committees will cover a broader area of the district.

While Mrs Underwood said that people mostly came to her with their issues when passing her on the street, she is concerned that the loss of town-specific councils could mean that the public won’t have the same access to the new committees. 

The space between the disbanded local health councils and new committees has also caused concern. 

“How long is it going to take to set these up, and what are people going to do in the meantime? The Chairperson of the Coonamble local health council didn’t even know it had been disbanded,” Mrs Underwood said. 

WNSWLHD Director Health Intelligence, Planning and Service Development, Maryanne Hawthorn said this is part of the first phase of work to transform the Health District’s community engagement.

“The purpose of the Sub Region Health Planning Committee is to provide a shared forum for community and stakeholders to partner together in health service planning and delivery within the region.” 

Like the former councils, members of the community have been invited to join the sub-regional committees, particularly those who have a strong voice within the community and an interest in health.