CEO Update - December 2019

Every year in the lead up to Christmas I always wonder where the past year has gone.

It’s been a busy year and we have achieved and progressed work in a number of areas. Much of which is detailed in the annual report, which was published in October for our Annual General Meeting (AGM). At this year’s AGM we welcomed newly elected Board Director Kristen Mann. Kristen is the Practice Manager at Corowa Medical Centre and she brings another unique perspective to our Board and MPHN. Donna McLean’s was also re-elected back to her position on the Board. Treasurer David Friedlieb retired at this year’s AGM, and the Board appointed Paul Gianniotis in this position, after serving as an independent member of the Finance, Audit and Cybersecurity Committee.

The AGM was also a time for MPHN to celebrate the achievements of primary healthcare organisations across the region, with our 2019 Primary Healthcare Awards. Congratulations again to all our winners, finalist and indeed all applicants who continue to deliver improved outcomes for our communities.

October also saw the release of our segment on Health Leader TV which is a news program for the Australasian College of Health Service Management. The segment highlighted how MPHN’s partnerships are making an impact for people in the Murrumbidgee region. Our partnerships with a wide range of organisations mean that we work towards improving health outcomes. It’s through these partnerships, we can deliver the greatest change in our communities.

This month we launched the Murrumbidgee Maternal and Child Health Strategy 2019 – 2022. The development took much of 2019, more details about the strategy is below.

In the area of mental health we have seen a couple of announcements in the past two months. The MyStep to Mental Wellbeing model was established with the appointment of Grand Pacific Health and Murrumbidgee Local Health District as the providers to deliver this activity. After a comprehensive review of how MPHN funds mental health services across the region, this new model will ensure people are able to access a range of services across the stepped care approach which will reduce the need for multiple assessments and referrals.  What we learned from the mental health review was people wanting access to mental health services to have a smooth referral process, less points where they are required to share their story and for supports to adapt as their needs change. Services under this model will be fully implemented from 1 January 2020.

In other mental health announcements, Wellways Australia was appointed the provider for the Continuity of Support (CoS) program providing psychosocial support services for those living with severe mental illness. We opened our new Murrumbidgee Youth Community Grants, which provides funding for activities aimed at building resilience and positive mental health and wellbeing in young people up to the age of 25 years. We are encouraging schools, sporting clubs, youth groups and other organisations involved in supporting young people to apply for a youth grant.

On Friday, 29 November we were pleased to formally announce our 11 Trusted Advocates for the Narrandera area with Federal Member for Farrer, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP. Trusted Advocates are trusted community members who demonstrate resilience in dealing with adversity and the impacts of drought, and are called upon to support their community. The Trusted Advocates program a trial, and Narrandera is one of nine locations around the country participating.

Finally, on behalf of the staff and Board of MPHN I warmly wish you and your families a safe and joyous Christmas and 2020.