cohealth welcomes establishment of community health expert taskforce

cohealth, one of Victoria’s largest community health providers, has today welcomed Minister’s Hennessy’s announcement of the establishment of an Expert Taskforce to identify ways to strengthen Victoria’s community health sector.

cohealth Chief Executive, Lyn Morgain said that “Victoria’s community health sector is unique in Australia, playing a critical role in ensuring that some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in our community are able to access health and social support.”

“We have a long history of working with the communities we serve to deliver effective services that are responsive to need – helping to keep people well, better manage chronic health conditions, and reduce health inequity.”

Over recent years, the combination of growing and changing community need, reduced funding, increased administrative requirements and significant and ongoing changes to policy and funding approaches has created considerable pressure and uncertainty for many community health organisations.

“There is considerable potential to better target and use community health services to meet the Victoria’s health challenges now and into the future,” said Ms Morgain.

“We are confident that with the right investment, and a clear articulation of the outcomes to be delivered and measured, community health services can play a significant role in improving health outcomes for priority populations, and reducing pressure on other parts of the health and social care system.”

“We welcome the opportunity to work directly with Government to develop a more sophisticated and flexible approach to community health funding and policy that will ensure the sustainability and quality of community health services for years to come.”