Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network (NBMPHN), and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) have renewed their commitment to work together to improve health outcomes for the community by signing a memorandum of understanding.
Wentworth Healthcare and NBMLHD share the same borders covering the local government areas of Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith. Collectively, both organisations play an essential role in the planning, delivery and management of health services in our region.
Federally funded, Wentworth Healthcare co-ordinates and supports the delivery of high quality primary healthcare and helps address local healthcare needs and service gaps. State funded, NBMLHD provides a range of acute and sub-acute in-patient hospital services in addition to outpatient and outreach community-based health services.
By signing the memorandum, both organisations have committed to work collaboratively on a wide range of issues and projects to improve our health system and to achieve better health outcomes for our community.
"This memorandum formally recognises the close relationship that already exists between our two organisations and builds on our commitment to help provide a more coordinated and integrated healthcare system for our community," said Lizz Reay, CEO of Wentworth Healthcare.
Last year both organisations formed a joint governance committee, with membership from both Wentworth Healthcare's and NBMLHD's board of directors, to oversee joint planning and initiatives. This committee is chaired by Mr Gary Smith, who is a director on both organisations boards.
Kay Hyman, CE of NBMLHD said: "Both organisations will be strengthened by an integrated approach to delivering health care services in the region and will continue to work together to provide high-quality, safe and efficient care for our diverse and rapidly growing community."
The memorandum also acknowledges the particular importance for both organisations of working with significantly disadvantaged individuals and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people experiencing mental illness.