MPHN hears about health needs of Aboriginal people in Hay

Twenty four Hay locals took the opportunity to share their health experiences and needs at recent Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) Yarns on the Couch sessions held on Tuesday 22 March.

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 included cost and complexity of travelling to seek medical services, limited access and continuity of care in mental health services and a shortage of allied health practitioners. Homelessness and a lack of affordable housing issues are also a common concern,” Ms Preuss said.

“We also heard people express their appreciation for the local Aboriginal Medical Service providing health check services and an increase in general practice services.

Hay Aboriginal Medical Service Team Leader Jean Woods said the event was well received by community members.

“The Yarns on the Couch was a great opportunity for people to express their concerns about shortfalls in health in the community,’ Ms Woods said.

“Most also appreciated the ability to talk with someone face to face in an environment they felt safe and could speak about sensitive issues.”

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.