Murrumbidgee Regional Planning Framework

Planning together to meet the health needs of our diverse communities

The Murrumbidgee Regional Planning 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.

Why the Framework matters

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.

The Framework helps partners work together to:

  • Identify shared health priorities

  • Improve coordination

  • Reduce duplication

  • Support better use of resources

  • Strengthen cross-sector partnerships

  • Align planning with funding, governance and service delivery

  • Support long-term transformation towards one health system

Shared principles

The Framework is guided by shared principles that support collaborative regional planning.

Recognising the many determinants of health

Health is shaped by more than healthcare alone. Social, cultural, economic, environmental and community factors all influence health and wellbeing.

Listening to communities across our region

Planning should reflect local needs, lived experience and the voices of patients, consumers, families, carers and communities.

Adopting a one system mindset

A one system mindset places the patient and consumer journey at the centre of planning and encourages partners to look beyond organisational boundaries.

Building and maintaining relationships and trust

Regional planning depends on trust, clear communication, shared purpose and ongoing commitment between partners.

Five steps for shared health priorities

The Framework outlines five practical actions for partners working together on shared health priorities.

  1. Identify the health problem and core team.

  2. Incorporate wider stakeholders.

  3. Map the current state.

  4. Define the future state.

  5. Build the plan.

MHKP’s role

The Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct acts as a connector, 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.