SWSHC – our history so far

andrey — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:17:46 +0000

In mid 2010, the idea of forming a broad based coalition of GP health and community organisations emerged in response to the federal Department of Health and Ageing announcements to form Medicare Locals nationally.

South West Sydney proved to be fertile ground to form a broad based coalition, joined by shared values, and founded on democratic decision making, transparent governance, and equitable distribution of resources across the proposed South West Sydney Medicare Local. The South West Sydney Medicare Local, the second largest in Australia, was to link the Wingencarribee, Wollondilly, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield and Bankstown LGAs.

In November 2010, the South West Sydney Health Coalition launched at the Bankstown Sports Club.

Between November 2010 and mid 2011, the SWSHC actively engaged local media in the debate around the future Medicare Local in south west Sydney.

In April 2011, the South West Sydney Health Coalition (SWSHC) lodged a Round 1 bid for the South West Sydney Medicare Local.

On 19 July 2011, the SWSHC lodged the Rounds 2 & 3 application to become the South West Sydney Medicare Local.

By November 2011, the SWSHC was a broad alliance of 35 family doctor, health & community organisations leading the transition to the South West Sydney Medicare Local across these urban and rural LGAs.

As part of the SWSHC, the Bankstown GP Division is providing Secretariat support to the Coalition.

The SWSHC is focused on the promotion of preventative health, better management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hepatitis B, and coordination of services with an over-stretched hospital system.

In November 2011, the SWSHC learned that the bid for the South West Sydney Medicare Local was not successful.

However, the SWSHC maintains the belief that it is only through the many diverse local communities, working with local family doctors that the good health can be secured for for families into the future in south west Sydney.

Today, the SWSHC is leading the transition to the South West Sydney Medicare Local, through joint health projects, research and business networking among our 35 collaborating organisations.

Through a formal mediation process, the SWSHC will embed the original vision and values into the South West Sydney Medicare Local.