Brimbank struggles with a shortage of general practitioners, dental and aged-care services, a federal government-commissioned health report has revealed.
The region was given a poor bill of health by The Information Paper: Population Health Snapshot – the first report to examine the health system, priorities and needs of Melbourne’s north-west.
The report finds that Brimbank is above the state average for adolescent smoking and eating disorders, for prevalence of diabetes, male and female obesity, premature mortality, high psychological distress, and poor rates of breastfeeding.
Brimbank was also above the state average for adverse health indicators, such as unemployment, homelessness and crime. And it was above the Australian average for reliance on health care cards and carers’ allowances.
RELATED: Long waits still common at Sunshine Hospital
North West Melbourne Primary Health Network acting chief executive Julie Borninkhof said the report aimed to start conversations and build shared understanding around the region’s most important health issues.
She said managing chronic disease and co-ordinating care remained key health issues across Brimbank.
“While we’ve identified some key issues that track across all parts of our region, such as chronic disease, health literacy and mental health and wellbeing, we want to go beyond the data and investigate the lived experience of those providing and receiving health services,” she said.
“Our goal is to … create the health system our region needs and deserves built on a solid evidence base and the local understanding, skills and experience of our health partners.”
