Wauchope is about to get nearly a million dollars’ worth of investment in the health of its ageing community, with a landmark healthy ageing program launching in the town this week.
The Healthy Towns program, funded with $977,000 through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network program and administered by Healthy North Coast, will officially launch on Wednesday, 24 June. It aims to reduce social isolation, improve access to community supports and slow the progression of chronic disease among older residents.
The town was chosen as one of two North Coast pilot sites because of its size, its older-than-average population, and higher rates of chronic disease. Nearly one in five Wauchope residents is aged 65 or over, compared to the NSW average of 16.3 per cent, and the town has elevated rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and dementia.
“When we asked Wauchope locals what would make the biggest difference to their health and wellbeing, the strongest themes were social connection and support to navigate available services,” said Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler.
“Healthy Towns is about creating a place where older people feel connected, valued and supported.”
A key feature of the program is social prescribing, which connects people to non-medical supports such as social groups, arts and culture, physical activities and volunteering opportunities. Research shows the impact of social isolation on physical health is comparable to smoking, obesity and lack of exercise.
A dedicated link worker, based at Hastings Medical Centre but working across the broader community, will help connect residents to services and activities regardless of whether they are a patient at the practice. A Community Development Officer, employed by Port Macquarie Hastings Council, will focus on building community connections and volunteering opportunities tailored to what locals actually need.
Dr Philip Ewart of Hastings Medical Centre said GPs were already seeing the gap the program would help fill.
“Patients are presenting to the rooms for consultation and it stands out that there is a big gap that needs filling,” he said.
“Social prescribing is a new frontier for primary care delivery and I’m very excited to be involved in this initiative within the general practice setting for the rapidly increasing number of presentations for which it would help.”
Mayor Adam Roberts, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, said the partnership represented a significant investment in Wauchope’s community fabric.
“Wauchope has a strong sense of community, and this program provides an exciting opportunity to build on those strengths by bringing together residents, community organisations, health providers, businesses and Council to create positive outcomes for local people,” Mayor Roberts said.
Over the coming months, Healthy North Coast will work with older residents and community stakeholders to design a Healthy Ageing Plan for the town. A community-wide working party will be established to steer the action plan and identify new opportunities.
The program will also be launched in Murwillumbah in the near future, and a formal evaluation will provide recommendations for scaling the model beyond the two pilot sites.
“By helping people access the activities, relationships and services that matter to them, we’re creating better health outcomes and improving quality of life for the older adults of Wauchope, both now and into the future,” Ms Wheeler said.
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