Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC)

Priority projects for the LHAC include:

• Ageing populations – Awareness and access to services
• Cancer screening – Advocacy for screening services
• Mental Health – Advocacy for continuation of programs and support
• Community Nursing – Information around access to services

Contact: lindalouswales@gmail.com

Barham has a very small LHAC focussing on the following health priorities for our community: 

• Health Literacy - Raising the profile of the LHAC
• World Café – to listen to community needs and feedback
• Health Career Expo –pathways into health

Contact: lizstorm7@bigpond.com

Berrigan LHAC meets on the first Monday of the month at 4pm in the Berrigan MPS (Hospital) Meeting Room (excluding January). 

Priorities for the coming year are:

• Workforce Recruitment and Retention support
• Medical Practice – Doctor and Practice nurse
• Publicity: LHAC Noticeboard & community newsletter
• Aged Care: Carefinder Program, Advanced Care Directives

We have been actively addressing mental health issues that are pertinent to a rural farming community regarding handling sudden trauma and handling the effects of the recent flooding by having guest speaker information sessions at BBQ’s held locally. 

We endeavor to keep the community up to date with health issues through a local monthly news magazine, our Facebook page and posting notices on a Health notice board. We have also addressed a shortfall in the area of information for pregnant women by arranging for a Childbirth and breast feeding education session locally.  We are currently advocating for the return of some Allied Health services which have been cut in the area. 

Our LHAC also arranged for a Coffee and Cake voucher to made given to all our Health care personnel at the MPS and the aged care facility as a way of saying ‘thanks’ for all their hard work over the COVID-19 years.

CONTACT US:
Chair - Tony Taylor 
e: squizzyt@westnet.com.au 
t: 0429 004 292

Or follow us on facebook: Click here   

Coolamon LHAC members will attend local events within the Coolamon Shire, with an easy to identify stand. We wish to raise the profile of our local LHAC, showing our interest in Consumer Health Advocacy, providing some printed health and local health service info. We hope locals will visit the stand and make themselves known to us.

Contact: coolamonlhac@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/coolamonlhac

Other members are Ruth O'Dwyer, Alan Mostyn, Marjory Taprell and Marge Blackney - you will see us around town and we are always happy to chat with you.

We meet at 5.00pm on the first Thursday of the month usually in the Hospital meeting room. You can come along or ask us to raise an issue or get information for you.

We are working on being more visible in the community, a health career expo on 2023, helping produce a brochure on all health and allied health services in Cootamundra and promote social interaction with new health care staff and the community. 

Contact: lhaccootamundra@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: Cootamundra LHAC

Corowa LHAC have identirfief the followign health prioroity areas for Corowa and surrounds:

• Aged Care – supporting ageing population to navigate health care to better access services
• Cancer Screening – improved awareness and access to services
• Mental Health  - increasing awareness around services and access
• Alcohol / Substance use

For more information contact: 
Anne Wescott via email on Annewescott3216@gmail.com 

You can follow Corowa LHAC on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CorowaLHAC

Culcairn LHAC meet on the second Monday of each month at 6.00pm at the Culcairn Multipurpose Service (MPS).

Our current projects and priotities include: 

• GP and Health Hub – advocate for future Health Hub in Culcairn
• Primary Care Services – improve awareness of and access to primary care services in Culcairn, including dietician, podiatry and physio.
• Mental Health – support youth mental health initiatives
• Aged Care - improve awareness of and access to aged care services

CONTACT US:
Chair - David Gilmore : dwgilmore@bigpond.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulcairnLHAC

Deniliquin LHAC meet monthly on the third Monday of each month.

Deni LHAC are currently focussing on community engagement through the “Market meet and greet” initiative and collaboration with Edward River Council and other community groups. Our current focus is on advocacy around Community Care Intake Service and our major project is to complete and distribute the Deniliquin  Health Services Information Guide and increase resources to hand out to community.

Key priority areas include: 

• Mental Health – early diagnoses, intervention and prevention
• Aged Care – improved access to services and supports
• Consumer Experience – consistent discharge planning and better outcomes
• Cancer Screening – improved awareness and access to services

Contact us:
Chair - Lourene Liebenberg : lourene@bigpond.com
Follow us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/denilhac

Finley LHAC meet at the Finley Hospital Meeting Room on the fourth Wednesday of each month.  All matters regarding Community Health are discussed.

Members are represented on several Health Committees including Berrigan Shire Dementia Alliance and the Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative.

Curernt priority and project areas include: 

• Finley Hospital Redevelopment Project – keep abreast of the progress and continue to represent and advocate for community and services
• Health Literacy – taking steps to improve understanding and access around health services locally
• Cancers – addressing skins cancer and cervical cancer screening rates
• Aged Care – supporting ageing population to navigate health care to better access services

CONTACT US:
Chair - Syd Dudley: easvd@bigpond.com
Or follow Finley LHAC on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/FinleyLHAC

The Griffith LHAC plans to organise a Women's Health expo in early September to encourage women to return to regular health checks and screening tests that may have been delayed due to COVID-19. We will continue to promote mental health services in Griffith and also keep our community updated as the Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment progresses during 2022.

An updated version of the Griffith Supportive Care and Services Guide will be finalised by early 2023.

Contact us:
Chair - Margaret King: margk63@gmail.com

Gundagai LHAC will host the next regional LHAC forum in May 2023.  We have active membership and a number of healthy initiatives on the go. 

Contact us:
Chair - Keith Woods: keithrwood@bigpond.com 
Or follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gundagaiandsurrounds 

Hay LHAC have identified the following health priority areas:

• Connecting – with other health organisations and community to better understand health needs
• Aged Care – improved access to services and supports
• Cancer Screening – improved awareness and access to services
• Obesity – increasing engaging in physical activity

Contact us:
Chair - John Perry: johnfperry@bigpond.com 
Or follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/HayLHAC

Henty LHAC re currenlty working on the following priority areas: 

• Young People – engaging with young people to support them with their health and wellbeing needs
• Parents – connecting parents to accessing services to care for themselves and their children
• Obesity – advocating for improved access to recreational opportunities in Henty, thereby improving the overall health and fitness of the community
• Mental Health - improve awareness of and access to services

CONTACT US: 
Chair - Mary D'arcy-Liston:  mary.darcy-liston@det.nsw.edu.au 
or follow us on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HentyLHAC 

The Holbrook LHAC meets on the second Tuesday every second month. We are currently focussed on projects relating to our local hospital - revitalising the grounds of the aged care facility and sourcing funding and planning for the complete redevelopment of the hospital accommodation for agency and locum staff.

Contact: pm.locke@bigpond.com

Like many smaller sites we are a small but engaged LHAC. Our focus has been ensuring that we are stable during these difficult critical staffing challenges. Recognition and acknowledgement of the hard yards our loyal and devoted staff give under duress deems that we consider short term alternatives to give them breathing space 

We continue to advocate for regular communication so our community knows just where MLHD is tracking with recruitment and recognising the real need for every community, large or small, timely access to available health care.  

We too, in collaboration with Council, are scoping and planning for a new medical centre that is fit for purpose and able to appropriately service our needs for generations to come.  

Our team works with hospital management, the hospital Auxiliary and the Health District to ensure we do the best we can for those in our patch.  

Priroity focus areas include:

• GP Shortages
• Housing & Accommodation for health service workers and impact on recruitment
• Workforce – support , appreciation and recruitment
• Aged Care

CONTACT US:

Chair - Ruth McRae:  ruthmcrae@bigpond.com

Junee LHAC meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Junee MPS meeting room commencing at 10am.

Junee LHAC prioroities for  2023 include:

• Health Literacy and Lifestyle – raising awareness, publicity and promotion
• Mental Health – supporting initiatives and partnerships that promote good mental health
• Alcohol & Drugs – public awareness
• Transport - advocating for regular visiting services to support those limited by transport option
• Cancer Screening – improved participation in screening

Contact: mholmes58@bigpond.com

Lockhart LHAC meet monthly on the second Wednesday from 1.30pm-2.30pm at Lockhart Multipurpose Service (MPS).

We are a vibrant inclusive volunteer committee working with health services to ensure community needs around health are advocated for. Lockhart LHAC represents community needs and provide feedback to health providers. We keep the community informed and promote health and wellbeing. Youth are encouraged and welcomed to be part of the decision-making initiatives. Other projects include mental health flyers and the Cate Campbell webinar speaking on mental health, resilience, overcoming adversity, leadership and teamwork, motivation and inspiration.

Our focus in 2022 is to promote social inclusion and participation, encouraging health and wellbeing throughout Lockhart Shire.

Lockhart LHAC has an active Facebook page to keep the community informed about services initiatives and the work of Lockhart LHAC.

Contact: lockhartlhac@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lockhart.LHAC

We are a small LHAC who supports our wonderful Community Health Centre, and advocate for our local community. We hold six meetings each year.

More recently we have been working hard to maintain local health services, including the resumption of a visiting GP.

Other community projects have included a Women’s Wellness Day, Mental Health First Aid Course and a health service directory fridge magnet. We have recently developed a Community survey to identify community needs and ideas for health services and programs.

The LHAC also contribute weekly information regarding services in our community newsletter. 

The Narrandera LHAC meet monthly on the last Thursday of the month at Narrandera Hospital.

Priroity areas include: 

• Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol and Sexual Health
• Aboriginal Health
• Health staff support and recognition
• Obesity  - increasing engaging in physical activity / healthy eating

We are currently working with the Narrandera Youth Council on mental health as well as supporting consumers with technology. The LHAC always welcomes opportunities to talk to Narrandera residents about their health needs. 

CONTAC US: 
Chair - Gayle Murphy: : mkr@iinet.net.au
Or follow us on faebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NarranderaLHAC 

The Temora LHAC meet on the first Monday of each month.

The main focus at present is being involved with the Clinical Services Plan as we look ahead to a redevelopment of the Temora District Hospital.

The Committee is also involved in several on-going projects including a Direct Me publication directing residents to Local Health Services; Reaching out with information and health awareness events; an annual health staff recognition ceremony; information meetings with school students on health career opportunities and supporting our local hospital and health services. Planning is also underway for a local Hospital and Health Services Expo and involvement with the Blue Tree project.

Contact: rbfirman@bigpond.com

Meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month (except January) at 1.30 pm at the Community Health Centre – MPS.

Tocumwal LHAC is currently working towards improving and expanding Visiting Medical Officer services to Tocumwal MPS and growing community, expanding community knowledge of LHAC role and function, promotion of Mental Health programs within the local community, advocating for 24 hour Ambulance service for Tocumwal community, and supporting our local MPS staff, residents and patients.

LHAC Project an dpriorities inclue:

• Access to Hospital and health services
• Medical workforce recruitment and retention
• Melanoma screening / Skin Checks
• CPR and First Aid Training & Awareness

CONATCT US:
Chair - Anne Seamer:   aseamer@bigpond.net.au
Or follow us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TocumwalLHAC

The Tooleybuc LHAC meet monthly on the first Monday of the month.

We are currently focussing on mental health and vaccinations. Tooleybuc LHAC recently held a successful Women's Health Forum and are working on a project to develop information fridge magnets.

Contact: joanconnick5@icloud.com

Tumbarumba LHAC meets every third Thursday at Tumbarumba MPS. We currently have a committee of 10 members.

Our current projects include the updating of our Service Booklet, and development of a forum for later 2022, which will have an emphasis on ageing and the legal, financial, family succession planning considerations and assistance available.

Contact: cblake888@gmail.com

Tumut LHAC meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 4pm at the Tumut Hospital.

Tumut LHAC priorities include: 

• Obesity & Lifestyle – influencing positive change in diet and exercise
• Accommodation & Homelessness – advocating for availability and affordability of housing
• Discharge Planning – advocating for better communication processes
• Cancer screening – raising awareness and access to screening services

Our current project is collaborating with Aboriginal services in our LHD to better service our Brungle Health Care Centre and their community.

CONTACT US:
Chair - Hansie Armour:   Hansie47@hotmail.com 
Or follow Tumut LHAC on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TumutLHAC

The Wagga Wagga LHAC meets once monthly on the second Wednesday of the month.

Priroities identified for Wagga LHAC include: 

• Youth Health (included topics around Mental Health, Obesity, Substance use, Cancer and homelessness)
• Substance use  - raise awareness around dangers / harmful behaviours
• Vaping – raise awareness around dangers / harmful behaviours
• Cervical Screening – increasing participation rates
• Obesity  - increasing engaging in physical activity / healthy eating

Projects include developing silicone wristbands to help target youth Mental Health. Health literacy is a priority for the Wagga LHAC, with a focus on multicultural groups. The LHAC is also working with the Health Services Hub to promote services available.

CONTACT US:
Chair: Garth Hungerford:  garth@agrismart.net.au 

Young LHAC meet monthly on the first Tuesday of each month.

Young LHAC are currently focussing on mental health and updating our community on local services available.

Contact: younglhac@gmail.com