Lachlan Valley

7 March 2023

Prof. Ruth Stewart, the National Rural Health Commissioner, toured the towns of Parkes, Forbes, and Condobolin to hear about local healthcare needs.

Prof. Stewart led a combined workshop in Parkes with representatives from each of the three towns, exploring ways of working together to coordinate services and attract more health professionals. The tour also included a workshop with community representatives in Condobolin and a tour of the Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre in Forbes, an Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Service.

"I am very interested to follow the Parkes - Forbes trajectory and hear how committed they are to continuing to work together," said Professor Stewart. "I also found the discussion in Condobolin very enlightening. I would suggest that the community should move forward with building the existing local Primary Health Care team’s sense of mastery and competence while they prepare a welcoming environment for one to join."

Prof. Stewart was accompanied by representatives from the Department of Health and Aged Care as part of the Innovative Models of Care grant program, known locally as the Collaborative Care Program.

Local representatives were encouraged by the Commissioner's visit and have begun planning a regional health workforce strategy to address these needs. Over the next 6-months, NSW Rural Doctors Network will also assist with a recruitment campaign aimed at attracting more GPs to these towns.