Department of Health visit to Western NSW
- Tania Rishniw, First Assistant Secretary, Portfolio Strategies Health Systems Policy and Primary Care; and
- Natalie Goodisson, Director PHN Programs Management and Analysis Section
There is a keen interest in the innovation being fostered and led by the Western NSW Primary Health Network, this was the main motivation behind the Department of Health's recent visit to Dubbo. Ms Rishniw and Ms Goodisson spent two days in Dubbo with a full itinerary including a strategy session with the Board and executive team and visits to WNSW PHN funded organisations and programs including HeadSpace Dubbo, Lives Lived Well, Dubbo Family Doctors medical practice.
“We are very excited to come to Dubbo and meet with the team at the WNSW PHN to see first-hand what is working on the ground,” said Ms Rishniw.
“We are especially interested in learning more about the challenges of managing the rural and remote medical workforce, and the strategies required to solve the dilemma of attracting and retaining GP’s in rural and remote communities,” she said.
“The WNSW PHN is also leading the way in models of care for Aboriginal people, and we are very interested in learning more about this work. Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services and drought support are also high on the list of topics that we are really keen to unpack and understand more during these extremely challenging times for rural people across Australia,” said Ms Rishniw.