“The pinnacle of best practice in Australia for rural health delivery” - NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Andrew McDonald

Waluwin Community Centre Australia’s first fully integrated community primary health care centre The unlikely beginning of a dream

Waluwin Community Centre Innovation/Best Practice – Australian first Australia’s first fully integrated primary community health care centre. Result of unique partnership between community groups, residents, private enterprise, Local, State and Federal Governments.

$3.6m centre funded by groups as diverse as the Country Women’s Association, Anglican Church, Greater Western Area Health Service, Cabonne Council and State and Federal Governments. Waluwin Community Centre Innovation/Best Practice – Diverse funding collaboration

Administered and operated on day-to-day basis by partnership of Western NSW Health Network, Central West Division of General Practice and Cabonne Council. Waluwin Community Centre Innovation/Best Practice – Unique management partnership

Caters for whole community from pre- schoolers to seniors. Houses full range of community health services. Headquarters for Family Day Care and Family Links services. Waluwin Community Centre Innovation/Best Practice – Extensive health services

Integrated patient record system an Australian first. Allows doctors, health professionals to access records from all medical services and facilities. Provides better, more targeted health care, particularly for rural and remote patients. Waluwin Community Centre Innovation/Best Practice – Integrated patient records

Described as “pinnacle of best practice in Australia for rural health delivery” by NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health Andrew McDonald when he officially opened building. Waluwin Community Centre Innovation/Best Practice – Pinnacle of best practice

Community, Council recognised need to arrest decline in rural health services. Extensive planning process involved local residents, more than 20 community groups, Cabonne Council, Central West Division of General Practice and Federal and State Governments. Waluwin Community Centre Process and Planning – Community driven

Developed “one-stop shop” concept to retain health, clinical care and deliver previously unavailable ancillary services. Paradigm shift to involve community groups, churches, private enterprise, Council and Government in funding process. Waluwin Community Centre Process and Planning – Paradigm shift

All stakeholders had input into design. Cabonne Council saved ratepayers $200,000 by project managing all aspects of the building from design to construction. Waluwin Community Centre Process and Planning – Stakeholders input

Named after a Wiradjuri word meaning “health and well-being”, the Waluwin Centre benefits almost every member of the community. Waluwin Community Centre Benefits – From pre-schoolers to seniors

Health One area consists of five general practitioners, community health workers, speech therapist, optometrist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, podiatrist, psychologist, pathology services, palliative care specialist fitness leader and child and family nurses. Waluwin Community Centre Benefits – New and expanded medical services

Employs 24 people. 20 positions created by facility’s development. Attracted five new doctors to Molong, who also service five smaller nearby villages. Wide range of new allied health services. Waluwin Community Centre Benefits – New doctors and health professionals

Better co-ordination of care to residents in Molong and surrounding towns and villages of Cudal, Manildra, Cumnock, Yeoval and Euchareena. Visiting specialists save residents inconvenient and sometimes painful journeys to major regional centres. Waluwin Community Centre Benefits – Build it and they will come

Houses Family Day Care and Family Links services. Venue for community playgroups, family day care playgroups, mothers’ groups and meetings. Visiting child development specialist. Waluwin Community Centre Benefits – State-of-the-art children’s services

Provides community meeting and training rooms and facilities. Located next to Molong’s major aged care facility providing direct access for elderly residents. Waluwin Community Centre Benefits – Community meeting and training facilities

Building incorporates solar power generating plant. Reduces 8.8 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. Example for community to install similar systems. Internal display unit allows public to monitor system. Waluwin Community Centre Benefits – Energy efficiency and education

Regarded as a model for future delivery of health services in rural areas. Can be readily adapted by other Councils. Council, community representatives happy to visit and consult with any area planning to build similar facility. Waluwin Community Centre Transferability – Model for rural health delivery

Waluwin Community Centre Transferability – How the model works Community partnership Extensive consultation Medical & health professional support Tailored funding model Inter-governmental collaboration Ongoing community involvement. Communication

“The pinnacle of best practice in Australia for rural health delivery” -NSW Parliamentary -Secretary for Health - Dr Andrew McDonald