Sustainable Rural Health Project

Sustainable rural health project

In rural areas it is challenging to attract doctors and health workers and maintain the services that are needed in communities. For rural people, they often have to travel away from homes to get the care they need. This is costly and can be stressful and demanding on people and their families.

The Integrated Health Network Alliance (IHN) was formed in 2019 to focus on addressing the health needs of the Buloke, Loddon and Gannawarra region. These include chronic conditions like diabetes, heart, respiratory, mental and oral health, and other needs of our ageing population.

In 2022, the IHN Alliance launched its Sustainable Rural Health Project to begin addressing the gaps caused by workforce shortages. Using up-to-date research, the project is helping health services work with community to create and trial new services and strategies that encourage doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to live and work in rural areas over the longer term.

The IHN Alliance includes Murray PHN, Boort District Health, Inglewood & Districts Health Services, East Wimmera Health Services, and Northern District Community Health.

Project ID: 32766 (MUHREC). Project title: Co-design of place-based and evidence-informed models of sustainable rural healthcare.

Last Update: July 16th, 2024

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).

We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.