By OLIVIA SHYING
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TO GAIN a greater understanding of health issues unique to Wagga and surrounding regions, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has embarked on a week-long consultative conference.
MLHD executives, including director of future sustainability task force Sarah Tobias, have travelled to Griffith, Denilliquin, Corowa, Young and now Wagga.
They have met with clinicians, local council employees, Aboriginal representatives, non-governmental organisations and Medicare Local executives.
"What we've gained the most is a high level of engagement with clinicians and external stakeholders," Ms Tobias said.
"So over the last few days we've spoken with over 100 people to get their views right acrosss the district."
Ms Tobias said the aim of the consultation was to develop a holistic Strategic Health Services Action Plan.
The plan would articulate different aspects of healthcare - from early intervention to intensive areas of treatment.
It is part of MHLD's long-term goal to evolve changing needs of the population and changing make-ups of communties.
"There are a lot of similarities in themes," Ms Tobias said, discussing the information collated from different areas of the district.
"There's a similarity in the need to move towards an integrated care model."
MLHD recognises Wagga as a central hub.
Logistics and how services available in the city link in with services in smaller towns are under the microscope.
"(We're looking at it) from the whole of the spectrum," Ms Tobias said.
"From very early intervention and the needs of the children, right up to the elderly and everything in between.
"It's whole of the population planning as well."
Ms Tobias acknowledged the community's ageing population as a significant influence in the way healthcare was addressed, adding that Wagga was one of the areas with a higher-than-average older population.
MLHD will complete the consultation process this week.
Results will be discussed with board members and potential action plans investigated.