You are required to choose a rural or remote region in Western Australia from the list below and complete a simple needs assessment (population profile) for that region. Please chose one of the following regions for your needs assessment.
- Kimberly
- Pilbara
- Wheat Belt
- Goldfields
You are required to complete each section below. Where data and/or information is not available, suggest reasons as to why this may be. You must include in-text citations and include a reference list at the end of your assessment. Please make note of the mark allocation for each section of your needs assessment. This assessment is worth 40% of your overall mark.
You may find the following resources useful for your population profile and needs assessment:
• Health Services:
https://www.healthmap.com.au
• Workforce:
http://www.aihw.gov.au/workforce-data/
• Population Demographics:
http://www.abs.gov.au
http://profile.id.com.au
http://map.aurin.org.au
http://graphc.aphcri.anu.edu.au
• Chronic Disease:
Diabetes http://www.diabetesmap.com.au/#/
General http://www.aihw.gov.au
• Regional definition:
http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/locator
• Regional Planning:
http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/8165.asp
Assessment Brief:
You are working for a Primary Health Network (PHN) in Australia and you have been asked to undertake both; a simple Needs Assessment (Assignment 1) and an Annual Strategic Plan (Assignment 2) for a region of your choice (listed above) in Western Australia.
PHNs were established in July 2015, with the objectives of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes; and to improve coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
Primary Health Networks aim to achieve these objectives on the basis of an understanding of the health care needs of their communities through analysis and planning.In order to achieve these objectives they must identify the available services and help to identify and address service gaps, while getting value for money.
You have been asked to assist with the first stage of the PHN commissioning cycle, which is the strategic planning stage. You will complete these in two stages.
