Housing, childcare availability raised at Barooga and Mulwala community feedback events

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) would like to thank the Barooga and Mulwala residents who came along and discussed their community’s health needs at two ‘Conversations on the Couch’ events.

TALKING ABOUT HEALTH: Attendees at the Mulwala Conversations on the Couch event.

MPHN visited Barooga and Mulwala in late May and interviewed 18 residents who shared their views.

Acting Senior Manager Commissioning Toni Preuss said housing and rental affordability was a common issue, as was the availability of childcare.

“We also heard people are having issues accessing community transportation, with elderly residents depending on family or community members to transport them to out of town appointments,” Ms Preuss said.  

“Transportation was also a challenge for people being discharged from hospital.

“Attendees also raised the lack of allied health services and a lack of understanding of available telehealth services.”

Cross-border complications were reported, with some residents feeling the need to have two lots of ambulance coverage, one for NSW and one for Victoria.

Mulwala’s Food Bank volunteers reported the service is in regular use and is seeing an increase in the number of younger people attending the service which some attendees felt was directly linked to the rise in rental costs.

MPHN will use feedback from the Barooga and Mulwala Conversations on the Couch to update the federal government on health needs in the Murrumbidgee in its Health Needs Assessment refresh at the end of the year.

“We really appreciate everyone who took the time to speak with us,” Ms Preuss said.

“Your feedback will help us better understand emerging health needs for the Barooga and Mulwala communities.”

Residents can still share their thoughts on health by completing the quick, anonymous Health Needs Assessment survey at mphn.org.au/hna or by calling MPHN on (02) 6923 3100.