The Glen Innes community is celebrating a significant milestone in regional healthcare with the official opening of the Glen Innes Health Hub.
Marking the beginning of a new era in locally delivered, multidisciplinary health services, the Health Hub was formally opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Richard Nankervis, CEO of the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN), and Andrew Mahony, Managing Director of Rural Fit, the Hub’s operating provider.
HNECC PHN CEO Richard Nankervis acknowledged the importance of the event.
“Today is a proud moment for everyone involved in bringing the Glen Innes Health Hub to life. The early and enthusiastic uptake by the community shows just how much people value accessible, coordinated care close to home.” said Nankervis.
Andrew Mahony, Managing Director of Rural Fit, also welcomed the milestone.
“We’re proud to be a part of this innovative pilot program, which has brought health professionals together to enhance health care for the Glen Innes community.” said Mahony.
The Glen Innes Health Hub forms part of the Better Health for the Bush (BHFTB) initiative. Developed by HNECC PHN in partnership with Hunter New England Local Health District and the University of New England, the BHFTB Framework supports the PHN’s broader vision of Healthy People and Healthy Communities.
As part of this vision, the PHN’s Rural Health Access Team designs and delivers localised, community-based models of care that improve access to sustainable primary health services in rural areas.
Offering a range of essential services under one roof, the Glen Innes Health Hub includes general practice, mental health support, rehabilitation, women’s health, and chronic disease management. This integrated model is helping reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to access care.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, people living in rural areas such as Glen Innes face higher rates of chronic conditions including arthritis, respiratory illnesses and cancer, and are more likely to be hospitalised or die from preventable causes. Despite these elevated needs, rural Australians often have reduced access to GPs and primary care services compared to those in metropolitan areas, which contributes to delayed or missed preventative care and increased reliance on emergency departments.
Recognising these challenges, Glen Innes was selected as a pilot site under the Australian Government’s Innovative Models of Care (IMOC) Program. The Glen Innes Health Hub was co-designed with local residents through a series of consultations, allowing the community to share concerns and ideas for a health service model tailored to their needs.
Local allied health provider Rural Fit Pty Ltd, with its deep understanding of rural health challenges and proven commitment to improving care access, was appointed to operate the Hub through a competitive tender process.
For more information, visit: https://thephn.com.au/community/glenhealthhub/.
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