MPHN hears about health needs of Aboriginal people in Tumut

Seven Tumut locals took the opportunity to share their health experiences and needs at the recent Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) Yarns on the Couch session held on Thursday 7 April at the Cooee Cottage.

MPHN’s Planning and Reporting Manager Toni Preuss, who was in attendance on the day, said those who attended provided many valuable insights into the current health needs of the community.

“Some of the key things raised difficulty accessing support to navigate health services, community transport issues and ongoing challenges associate with the COVID-19 pandemic. Homelessness and cost of living pressures are also a common concern,” Ms Preuss said.

“We also heard people express their appreciation for the support the community receives from the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service, Brungle Health Centre and praise for the work of the Cooee Cottage and local Land Council during the COVID lockdown periods.

 Aboriginal Men’s Family Support Worker Stan Russell said those who attended appreciated the opportunity to share their stories and concerns.

“The Yarns on the Couch was a great opportunity for people to discuss the issues they encounter in the community and these gaps impact health and wellbeing,’ Mr Russell said.

“Most also appreciated the chance to talk with someone face to face in an environment they felt safe and could speak about issues that matter to them and their family.”

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said Yarns on the Couch is an important MPHN initiative designed to capture health needs and concerns of Aboriginal people from local communities across the Murrumbidgee region in a personal face to face environment.

“One of the most important ways in which we measure if we have the right services in the right places at the right time is by talking directly with people and give them the opportunity to provide us with their concerns and experiences,” Ms Neal said.

“In addition to Yarns on the Couch events, we are also providing community members across the Murrumbidgee an opportunity to complete an online survey. I would like to thank all those who took the time to participate today.

“These activities provide us with some rich data to help get a better picture of what is happening in health at the local level and inform our next Health Needs Assessment for the region,” she said.

To provide feedback via a survey visit www.mphn.org.au/aboriginal-health-community and scroll down to the blue survey buttons.