Over the last 20 years, a number of states have either disassembled their community health systems or merged them into broader health networks. In Victoria, however, there remain over 20 Independent Community Health Services.

Once considered a cottage industry, Community Health is actually a powerhouse of allied health, nursing, social support and connection: all the ingredients for a truly integrated aged care service. So why haven’t Community Health Services made a far greater contribution to in-home aged care? What is their potential and how could it be harnessed?

In this presentation Paul will profile Community Health in general, and what he’s discovered at Latrobe Community Health in particular. He’ll share just why he feels community health has huge untapped potential to enable communities where older people are engaged, thriving and socially connected.

In sharing this story, Paul will cover:
• A brief history of Community Health and where we are today
• The kinds of services Community Health delivers
• Community Health’s role in aged care and why it’s so understated.
• Why Community Health is ideally placed for a reformed health and aged care system including:
o The vision communicated by the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce paper (2023)
o The potential under Support at Home
• How Community Health can enable older people to thrive through genuinely connected services across the clinical and social care spectrums.
• Latrobe Community Health Services’ newly launched strategy, aimed at better connecting and simplifying health and aged care services, while making them easier to navigate and more sustainable.