Agenda 4

Health and Community Development

Compared to other regions, the West’s health and community services are significantly under-funded, our people have poorer health and wellbeing, there is a shortage of doctors, higher unemployment; and large concentrations of disadvantaged people and newly arrived migrants. Strengthening our communities is paramount.

Improved health and stronger community development will:

• Mean that people are more able to obtain jobs, build successful lives and contribute to the economic and social improvement of the region.
• Reduce demand on scarce public funds.
• Raise community morale and provide the support fabric necessary for people to pursue learning and jobs.
• Proper facilities and services are an essential component of sustainable and cohesive new communities.
• Improved and more specialised health services will help attract more professionals to live in the region.

Accordingly, from 2008 to 2011, LeadWest and its members will advocate for and facilitate implementation of the following priority actions:

1. Achieve Stage 2 redevelopment of Sunshine Hospital and a commitment to full redevelopment by 2018.
2. Increase the number of general practitioners, specialists and allied health services in the region and work towards the West becoming a centre of excellence in health services.
3. Increase overall levels of health and community services funding to the region.
4. Support ongoing initiatives to assist concentrations of particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the region.
5. Continue to press for gambling reforms to reduce problem gambling.

In 2009, LeadWest and the HealthWest network formed a strategic partnership to progress some of the key health sector imperatives facing the residents of Melbourne’s western suburbs.

If you would like to discuss the Health and Community Development Agenda with LeadWest, please contact us.