G21 prioritises health & wellbeing

Supporting good health, wellbeing and an active lifestyle among people living across Geelong and the G21 region is a high priority for G21.

While G21’s long-term planning and infrastructure advocacy activities are often in the ones in the news, it is the work of the G21 Health & Wellbeing Pillar — a hands-on working group — that can directly improve people’s lives.

The G21 HWB Pillar is one of eight subject-specific working groups under the G21 banner, each made up of volunteers and experts in their fields. (Find out more at: g21.com.au/g21-pillars)

The HWB Pillar is unique within G21 in that it is also part of the state government’s Victoria’s Primary Care Partnership network.

The PCPs bring together local health and human service providers to plan and work cooperatively. PCPs are funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. There are 28 PCPs across Victoria.

PCP staff are employed to strengthen collaboration and integration across sectors, improving health and wellbeing outcomes, promoting health equity and ultimately minimising unnecessary hospital visits and admissions.

Organisations involved in PCPs across the state include hospitals, community health services, Primary Health Networks, local governments, mental health services, drug treatment services and disability services.

The G21 HWB Pillar/PCP specifically supports healthy places, people and coordinated-care across the region, by providing clear vision, purpose, strategic direction and good governance.

Current priorities and projects for the G21 HWB Pillar include:
• Heathier Eating and Active Living – aims to encourage and support the community to make healthy lifestyle changes at a personal level
• Gender Equity. Focusing on the prevention of violence against women – brings together key health services in the G21 region with a primary focus on preventing violence against women
• Social Connectedness and mental health – collaborative action to improve health outcomes for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the Geelong region
• Capacity building and leadership – Working with partners to build capacity and take action through measures including best-practice and leadership forums and information sharing.

The G21 HWB Pillar’s work is guided by the public health and wellbeing plans of the five G21 region municipal councils and the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, among other sources.

For more information on the G21 HWB Pillar: g21hwbpillar.com.au