About this report
Context
Guided by the NWMPHN HNA Framework, this report provides key insights informed through quantitative analyses based on population growth and social determinants that influence health and wellbeing.
Integral to this project is the involvement of people with lived experience and subject matter expertise. This is particularly evident in the third section of this report, titled Community and Health Service Provider Engagement, which imparts insights that contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complex social, cultural and economic factors and experiences related to health need in the NWMPHN region.
This report adopts a holistic definition of health, that extends beyond physical health and medical care. It acknowledges the significant influence of social, cultural, spiritual and economic factors on population health and wellbeing. Community-based social services are therefore considered integral to health care, as they address the broader determinants of health and contribute to overall wellbeing. The term ’service needs,’ refers to current health system challenges including supply and demand pressures that hinder the ability to meet health needs. This report summarises insights from targeted HNAs, specifically the West Metro Health Service Partnership (WM HSP) HNA and the Mental Health HNA conducted in 2023. These provide a comprehensive understanding of particular health needs within the region. Their findings have been incorporated into this HNA to ensure they are considered alongside new data.
Collaborators
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the following community members, health care and community service providers, organisations and other representatives.
Community representatives
NWMPHN People Bank
Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC)
Tandem
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
NWMPHN Advisory Councils
Clinical Advisory Council Community Advisory Council
NWMPHN Expert advisory groups (EAG)
Aboriginal Health EAG
Alcohol and Other Drugs EAG
General Practice EAG
Health Needs Assessment PAG Mental Health EAG
Mental Health PAG
Older Adults EAG
Government
Brimbank City Council
City of Darebin
Department of Health, Victoria
Hobsons Bay City Council
Hume City Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Melton City Council
Moonee Valley City Council
Moorabool Shire Council
North Eastern Public Health Unit
Western Public Health Unit
Wyndham City Council
Health service providers, general practitioners, community health service providers, community organisations, non-government organisations
