Regional Planning Framework supports a one health system approach for the Murrumbidgee
The Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct has delivered the Murrumbidgee Regional Planning Framework to support stronger collaboration and more coordinated planning across the region.
Developed through the Precinct’s One System Integration work, the Framework provides MHKP partners with a set of guidelines on how cross-sector organisations can come together to pool limited resources and work with a shared vision and purpose.
The Framework supports partners to holistically design, develop and implement local initiatives that impact and reform the health system.
It provides a structured approach for coordinating the planning of local health programs and services, with the goal of supporting system-level healthcare reform and stronger partnerships between local health districts, primary care providers and other health stakeholders.
The Framework recognises that regional and rural communities experience challenges with access to, and delivery of, health services. These can include service gaps, duplication, workforce shortages, difficulty navigating the system, fragmented planning and limited data sharing.
By using a shared regional planning approach, partners can better identify common priorities, reduce duplication, align resources and work together on solutions that respond to local needs.
The Framework is guided by four shared principles:
Recognising the many determinants of health
Listening to communities across our region
Adopting a one system mindset
Building and maintaining relationships and trust
It also outlines five practical steps for partners working together on shared health priorities:
Identify the health problem and core team.
Incorporate wider stakeholders.
Map the current state.
Define the future state.
Build the plan.
The Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct acts as a connector through this work, supporting stakeholder identification, engagement and relationship building across the region.
Organisations in the Murrumbidgee wanting to engage in regional planning can contact the Precinct for support and connection to other partners.