Update on Tumut Health Service Plan next Tuesday

Greater Southern Area Health Service will host a public forum next Tuesday, May 30, to update the community on the work that has been done since the development of the Tumut Health Service Plan in November 2005.

Janet Chapman, Manager Service & Corporate Planning says GSAHS committed to providing the community with regular updates when the plan was developed.

"The development of the service plan for Tumut Health Service involved extensive community consultation. It was wonderful to see so many people interested and actively involved in the planning for their local health service.

"At this point we made a promise to the community to come back in six months and provide an update about our progress and that's exactly what we're doing," said Ms Chapman.

Mary Smit, Tumut Health Service Manager says that many recommendations from the plan have already been implemented or are currently underway.

"We have been working towards implementing recommendations from the Service plan and have already made the following progress:

• Improvements to workforce with the employment of a diabetes educator, physiotherapist, dietician and an occupational therapist who will work on falls prevention programs.

• Commenced consultation with area clinicians and chronic complex and palliative care coordinator to develop appropriate models of care for cardiac, pulmonary, chronic illness and palliative care.

• Rural health minor works program 'Keep Safe & Operating' has commenced. The focus of this program is on improving security and access across the whole site.

The Tumut Health Service public meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 30, from 5.30 p.m. at Tumut RSL Club.

This public meeting will be an opportunity for GSAHS staff from Tumut Health Service to outline the progress made to date against the commitments made in the service plan.

Ms Chapman encourages all members of the community interested in their local health service to attend.

"I encourage all members of the community to attend the meeting on May 30, to hear about the progress and work undertaken over the last 6 months," said Ms Chapman.

May 26 2006

Tumut & Adelong Times