“The core of everything we do”: new framework to guide the fastest growing health district in urban NSW

Learning from our diverse communities to improve quality, safety, and patient experience is the goal Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is committed to pursuing now and into the future.

This goal reflects the priorities outlined in the WSLHD Community and Consumer Partnership Framework 2021-2025, which was launched on Friday 30 April with the WSLHD board,  executive, Western Sydney community and consumer leaders at the Atura Hotel in Blacktown.

The framework gives strategic direction for how the District will partner with consumers and community leaders to improve the health and wellbeing of western Sydney’s many diverse communities. It prioritises how WSLHD will build and maintain partnership between consumers and staff, how we promote health literacy and social care in western Sydney and how systems can be built for partnering with consumers in research.  

WSLHD chief executive Graeme Loy said the District has laid the foundations for western Sydney to be the healthiest community in Australia.

“We are the fastest growing public health district in urban NSW and have the largest population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with significant numbers of culturally diversity communities,” Graeme said.

“We recognise there are challenges with health literacy within some of our communities and we need to understand the people we are trying to reach.

“Our relationships with our consumers, community and carers is one of the most critical things that we have to do.

“We include them in the decision making so they understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it and they can help us plan their healthcare pathway for the future.”

WSLHD deputy chair Loretta Di Mento said the way we work with our communities is at the core of everything we do.

“The WSLHD Community and Consumer Partnerships started formally in 2014 and continues to grow as we work in partnership with our communities across the District,” Loretta said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the next four years brings under this new framework.”

Following the launch of the Framework, WSLHD Community and Consumer Partnership program manager, Dr Coralie Wales is inviting people to become community representatives for their local hospital. 

“A Consumer Representative is someone who lives in the local area, is passionate about healthcare and speaks up about change,” Coralie said.

“They can advise on all sorts of issues, from what and how services are provided, to improving hospital communications and getting involved in identifying the research agenda.”

For information about becoming a Consumer Representative or how to get involved in our Community Councils where community leaders are in communication with WSLHD, please contact WSLHD Community and Consumer Partnerships Officer, Tara Lee at tara.lee1@health.nsw.gov.au

The WSLHD Community and Consumer Partnership Framework 2021-2025 can be viewed here.

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