Welcome to our first monthly column about Young’s Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) allowing readers of the Young Witness to get to know the individuals that make up the voluntary committee.
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Local Health Advisory Committees are a central connection between the local community and health service activities.
Our LHAC works with the Facility Manager at Young District Hospital to identify local service needs, ways to improve access to services, and to assist in planning and development.
This is a platform for community members to raise concerns and provide support for the Local Health Service.
We provide valuable input into planning health services and sharing information with the local community.
We would like to introduce you to our members:
Heather Ritchie, Chairperson LHAC.
From Murringo village, Heather has lived in the region for 20 years and has been chairperson for the past five. An avid reader, and motorbike rider (having toured Australia in 2015), she also likes to garden in her spare time.
Heather has a strong commitment to supporting and maintaining a high quality public health service that is accessible to everyone. She says Young’s current committee is “very active and represents a broad range of backgrounds and interests”.
Why did you join the LHAC?
I worked for 10 years in the past as manager of Community Health (Young, Harden, Yass and Boorowa) so have a very strong interest in supporting health in the community.
What changes have you seen in local health services?
The development of the combined health site at Young, opened in 2005 with Emergency, Community Health and Mercy Care in one building has been a huge plus for the town and district.
More recently the establishment of the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network has increased the range of health services to our town.
What’s top of your health wish list?
I’d like to see an increase in the scope of services offered by our health hub, for example a renal satellite unit here in Young. Beyond that, one important goal for me is to simply make sure our services are maintained to the same high standard.
Any areas of special interest?
I’m really quite passionate about the wide range of community health services offered at the hub which include counselling, child and family, diabetes education, dental, mental Health, drug and alcohol, sexual health, speech pathology and more.
These services help in the early intervention and prevention of health problems and are available at no cost.
Any upcoming activities you’d like to share?
I’m encouraging interested locals to voice their thoughts on local health services in the 2016 MLHD community survey.
This is a chance for everyone to have their say, to measure community awareness of available services and the LHAC committee and to identify any gaps in the information on the services.
The survey opened on September 7 and closes December 31. Have your say online: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLHDyourview
If you have general ideas or thoughts for the YOUNG LHAC please email: mlhd.feedback@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au Heather Ritchie, Chairperson, Local Health Advisory Committee.
WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?
The number of team members on staff at Young’s Community Health service: 17
Average number of patients visiting per day: 128
Average number of patients visiting per week: 640
Total number of patients who visited Young Community Health Service last financial year, 2015/2016: 32,036.