Historic health partnership to target diabetes in Western NSW

A new program to turn around rising diabetes figures in Western NSW has been launched this week, the result of a partnership between NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN), Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), the Far West Local Health District (FWLHD), Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) with funding from the NSW Government. 

Expressions of Interest are now open to service providers in Western NSW who would like to participate in the program, known as the Care Partnership – Diabetes Program. 

"NSW Rural Doctors Network welcomes this opportunity to work with partners to improve health outcomes for rural communities and strengthen the capability of our rural health workforce,” said NSW Rural Doctors Network CEO, Richard Colbran.  

“Working in partnership is driving this opportunity to enhance community access and has scope to positively reform both the primary and acute health systems," he said. 

The percentage of people living with Type 2 Diabetes in Western and Far West NSW is 6.1 per cent of the population, higher than the national average of 5.5, with fatal outcomes 40 per cent more likely than in the rest of NSW. 

The Care Partnership – Diabetes Program will support system-level changes that build collaboration between health services and communities, consensus around models of care, and capacity of local health services to provide patients with high-quality and integrated care. In doing so, it aims to improve health outcomes for people living with or at risk of Type 2 Diabetes and reduce pressure on acute care services. 

There is also a ‘workforce uplift’ component to identify and support workforce skills and capability needs. 

Central West GP, Dr Ai-Vee Chua, says the program represents a very real opportunity to really make a difference to people in Western NSW. 

“It’s the first real thing I’ve been involved in where all the key health organisations have made a commitment to really working together towards shared health outcomes. This provides a vehicle for really making a difference for the people we look after,” said Dr Chua.    

General practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) across Western and Far West NSW are now being invited to participate in designing and implementing the delivery of the Care Partnership – Diabetes Program in their communities. They can submit an Expression of Interest or find out more about the program at wnswphn.org.au/carepartnership-diabetes. 

Read the full media release announcing the program on Rural Health Pro.