BCH contributes to statewide position paper

BELLARINE Community Health (BCH) has helped launch a new position paper highlighting the need to reimagine the state’s health system.

The paper, ‘Strengthening Victoria’s Health System through Community Health’, shines a light on the work of community health services such as BCH providing critical services and support to regional communities.“The paper displays the role our services can play in directly addressing and reducing demand on Victoria’s overcrowded emergency departments and ambulance services,” BCH CEO Garry Ellis said.

“Victoria’s registered community health services play a vital role in keeping our state healthy and supported, helping communities thrive and keeping Victorians out of hospital.“We look forward to further conversations with government about our recommendations to build a stronger, more accessible health system.”

The paper was collaboratively published by all 24 registered community health services government and sector leaders in Victoria, with the central message of delivering better outcomes for all Victorians regardless of their bank balance or postcode.

Anna Robinson, chair of the Community Health First steering committee, said all levels of government should take notice of that the recommendations put forward by the paper.

“We know that our registered community health services hold the solutions to many of the problems facing our health and social care systems and are central in reimagining a system that delivers better, more ambitious outcomes not only in Victoria but across Australia,” Ms Robinson said.

“Through investing in community health services, governments can tackle issues surrounding access to care and disparities in health outcomes through a cost-effective and locally responsive model of service delivery.” The position paper can be accessed at www.communityhealthfirst.org.au