MPHN hears about health concerns in Culcairn, Jindera and surrounding communities

Ten Culcairn and eleven Jindera locals took the opportunity to share their health experiences and concerns at Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN) Conversations on the Couch sessions on 26 and 27 May 2022.

MPHN’s Planning and Reporting Manager Toni Preuss said those who attended provided a variety of thoughtful insights into the current health needs of the community.

“Some of the key concerns raised from Culcairn locals included a lack of visiting medical officers and specialised health services resulting in locals travelling to surrounding towns,” Ms Preuss said.

“We also heard many people express their appreciation for the local hospital staff, community transport services and the commencement of monthly women’s health clinics.

Jindera locals shared concerns about accessibility to local general practitioners, lack of childcare services and ambulances travelling from Albury in emergencies.

“I’d like to thank all community members who provided feedback during the event. The information provided is invaluable to guiding MPHN’s understanding of community concerns and experiences and the development of the region’s Health Needs Assessment.”

Conversations on the Couch is an MPHN initiative to capture health needs and concerns of local communities across the Murrumbidgee region as part of its Health Needs Assessment.

Culcairn Local Health Advisory Committee chair David Gilmore said the Conversations on the Couch event was a valued opportunity to give voice to the community’s health concerns.

“The Conversations event granted the Culcairn community to provide direct feedback to MPHN about their health experience and needs,” Mr Gilmore said.

“After the impact of the COVID-19, people in the area are keen to see reintroduced specialised health services limiting the need for travel.”

MPHN Acting CEO Narelle Mills said the organisation’s Health Needs Assessment is a three-yearly process to help identify opportunities for improving health outcomes.

“One of the most important ways in which we measure if we have the right services in the right places at the right time is by asking people of the Murrumbidgee to give us feedback about what they need,” Ms Mills said.

“In addition to Conversations on the Couch, we are also providing community members in the Greater Hume Council area an opportunity to complete an online survey and I would like to thank all those who have taken the time to participate.”

To provide feedback via a survey visit www.mphn.org.au/hna and scroll down to the blue survey buttons.