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Huon Valley Region

What is happening in the Huon Valley Health and Wellbeing Network (HWN) so far?

Health and Wellbeing Networks

Health Consumers Tasmania is funded by the Tasmanian Government to roll-out three Health and Wellbeing Networks – one in each of the Huon Valley, Dorset and Central Coast regions.

The concept is simple but complex to implement – it takes time, listening to the needs of the community and then empowering them to influence change in the health-related services they need in their regions.

Health Consumers Tasmania is part way through the process with the codesign being rolled out in each region during March and April 2023. Consumer led groups have been established and Actions Plans
developed in each region are being progressed.

The process Health Consumers Tasmania is implementing is shown in the following diagram and is premised on:

  • Working with local community members so they are able to drive the process.
  • Empower communities to build a stronger voice.
  • Build on community strengths / resources.
  • Community to identify what services they require.
  • Increase health literacy and awareness.
  • On-going community involvement in decision-making
  • Fund identified place-based health solutions.

‘When I first joined the HVVH I was a little sceptical of potential success. I soon changed my mind. Society is increasingly reliant on government to solve its problems. I believe it needs to be encouraged that individuals need to be empowered with tools and knowledge to better make decisions on their own health outcomes. I also think this system can reduce or stem the increase in demands on the health system.’
– Hugh Cobb, Huon Valley Voice for Health Steering Group Member.