ABOUT THIS PRIORITY
Health is a fundamental barometer of community wellbeing. Significant investments have been made, in recent years, in health infrastructure and services at sites like Blacktown-Mt Druitt, Liverpool, Nepean and Westmead. Equally, the recent public health response to the pandemic, across Western Sydney, indicates a relatively high level of functionality and capacity across the network.
Planning and policy development processes indicate the beginnings of a response to Western Sydney’s entrenched over-representation in chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and mental health issues. This is particularly true for people from Indigenous communities. Pronounced health workforce shortages in key frontline and allied health professions in the years ahead is a matter of additional concern. Meeting these challenges will be pivotal in ensuring Western Sydney’s wellbeing through a period of continued growth and change.
“The recent public health response to the pandemic, across Western Sydney, indicates a relatively high level of functionality and capacity across the network.”
GOOD PERFORMANCE
- Strong, steady, decisive and informed management of the pandemic
- The scientific and technological approach to contact-tracing
- Major investments in health infrastructure and precincts
- Commitment to expanding health research in the West
- Good communication lines between NSW health networks and local government
- Locally embedded mental health and wellbeing programs
- Positive inter-departmental collaboration on health and education precincts
POOR PERFORMANCE
- Lack of cut-through in pandemic information for non-English speaking communities
- Missed opportunity to take a stronger stimulus position on medical research funding
- Lack of focus on, and investment in, specific health challenges like diabetes and obesity
- Clinical and chronic care favoured ahead of access to community (primary) health services
- Insufficient progress on Integrated Health Hub delivery in high growth areas
- Not enough recognition of, or investment in, urban heat mitigation as a public health issue
- Although significant, health infrastructure investment is not keeping pace with growth
THE VERDICT
Respondents overwhelmingly lauded the NSW Government’s management of the pandemic. Putting early challenges aside, the response in the West was seen as being ‘led by the science’, and described as ‘exceptional’ in its measure, clarity and execution.
Major investments in health infrastructure – in particular at Campbelltown ($632 million), Liverpool ($740 million), Nepean ($550 million) and Westmead ($832 million) – were viewed favourably, as were broader precinct initiatives. While not lagging to the extent of schools, respondents noted that health infrastructure investment – despite its scale – is still not keeping pace with growth, especially in the outer south west.
“Respondents overwhelmingly lauded the NSW Government’s management of the pandemic.”
Differing views exist as to the balance between investments in primary and tertiary care. And while communication between local health districts and wider agencies is seen as strong, especially in the south-west, there was sustained criticism of perceived failings to achieve ‘cut-through’ on important public health messages with the region’s non-English speaking communities. Overall, however, the Government is performing well in a critical area for Western Sydney, with a clear long-term plan and commitment to implement it.
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