As part of our commitment to continually improve primary healthcare for all communities in our region, Western Victoria PHN (WVPHN) collates a needs assessment to identify health and service needs within our region and prioritise activities to address these needs .
The needs assessment is a comprehensive compilation of the latest health and wellbeing research and data as well as contextual information from consultations with service providers and community.
The report focuses on efficiency and effectiveness of services – particularly for those at risk of poor health outcomes – and improving the coordination of care. It also covers our priority areas of:
- mental health
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- population health
- alcohol and other drugs
- health workforce
- digital health
- aged care.
Importantly, it provides the necessary information to enable us to identify trends, gaps and opportunities when planning and developing health services and support.
WVPHN uses this valuable information as part of the commissioning cycle to develop projects and programs to address priority health needs in individual communities and specific demographics.