The strategic plan recognises that there are several significant challenges facing SLHD, particularly in areas such as Redfern and Waterloo where there are increasing disparities in economic and health advantage. Other identified challenges looking forward include rapid population growth (particularly an issue as we prepare for a huge increase in residents in the Green Square development), an ageing and diverse community with varying health needs, and adapting to ever-changing approaches to delivering healthcare.
On balance, Redfern-Waterloo residents are exposed to more hurdles to achieving good health compared to people living in other areas of Sydney. It is encouraging that the SLHD strategic plan continues to focus on health equity and social determinants of health, which recognise the multiple factors that impact an individual’s health including ethnicity, gender, sexuality and socioeconomic status. The strategic plan states that a priority in implementing the plan is partnering with patients, families and consumers to design “personalised, responsive, culturally competent, evidenced-based and integrated care that ‘matters’ to our patients” – which is certainly a big aim!
In order to best create health policy, services, and an overall strategic plan that best represents the needs of the central and inner west communities of Sydney, it is important that residents – if they are able – provide feedback on the strategic plan, and highlight areas where there is opportunity for growth or pockets of people who may have been missed in the strategy. The department has opened the strategic plan for feedback from the community, and it can be accessed online at www.slhd.nsw.gov.au.
