The good news was shared with the Deniliquin Local Health Advisory Committee by cluster manager Craig McColm at this week’s LHAC meeting.
Mr McColm said having someone in the role would be a huge boost to both the medical and nursing teams at those facilities.
The committee also received health service updates from facility manager Ginny Lange, and reports from two recent health forums attended by members.
Mr McColm and Deniliquin LHAC vice chair Louise Mace attended the biannual Murrumbidgee LHAC Health Forum in Griffith last week.
The forum is an opportunity for all LHAC members across the Murrumbidgee footprint to come together, and to meet with the executive of both MLHD and the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network.
“It was a tremendous opportunity to hear about successful strategies that other LHAC’s use, both in member recruitment, but also with their health promotion events,” Mrs Mace said.
“The theme for the forum was ‘Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Health Care’ and it was fascinating to hear how embedded this technology is becoming by guest speaker Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque and Dr Norman Swan.
“We also received some big-picture updates from MPHN and MLHD.
“It was great to see so many passionate people come together to strengthen community-led healthcare in our region.”
Representing Deniliquin LHAC at the Murrumbidgee Aged Care Forum in Deniliquin was Deniliquin LHAC chair Lynda Barclay.
“Part of our role as LHAC is to collaborate with providers and consumers of health services,” Mrs Barclay said.
“The Aged Care Forum hosted some high quality speakers, particularly focussed on innovation and new initiatives focussed on strengthening the Aged Care Quality Standards.
“It was also an opportunity to liaise with residential aged care staff, educators, and assessment and referral services.
“It is exciting to hear of positive developments, such as federal funding of pharmacists into residential aged care facilities.”
LHAC’s Lifting Health Outcomes banners continue to circulate around the community.
These highlight common chronic health conditions including stroke, kidney disease, and dementia, amongst others.
Each banner has a tinyurl code on it which, when scanned, takes you to a website which provides further information, particularly around risk factors.
Mrs Barclay said LHAC wants these banners to act as a catalyst to increase awareness, and for people then to see their GP with any concerns they have.