What’s up, or down, with health in your town?
Healthy North Coast, the organisation that delivers the Australian
Government’s Primary Health Network program, wants to find out.
Healthy North Coast is conducting a detailed survey asking
communities in northern NSW and Mid North Coast regions to share
what’s working well and what can be improved.
‘We’re asking local residents to tell us about their health and the
health services where they live,’ said Healthy North Coast Chief
Executive Julie Sturgess.
‘The Speak Up survey is something we do every three years. The
feedback we receive helps us to prioritise areas of need and deliver
essential health services to the most vulnerable in our communities.
‘We’d love people to have their say and help us understand what’s
working and what’s not when it comes to health on the North Coast.’
The 2021 Speak Up survey was launched on 16 August and remains
open until 16 September. It will take around 15 or 20 minutes to
answer the questions. All answers are anonymous and completely
confidential.

Ms Sturgess said one of the outcomes of the 2018 survey had been its
highlighting of the difficulty of accessing mental health and alcohol
and other drugs treatment services in parts of the North Coast.
The 2018 survey findings directly led to the funding of new services
and expansion of existing programs. They also provided information
and assisted in the development of resources for GPs to help support
vulnerable populations to manage their mental health and wellbeing,
including youth, the general population and the LGBTQI community.
‘Having a community voice at the centre of health care planning and
decision making is essential in achieving better health on the North
Coast,’ Ms Sturgess said.
At the end of the survey, participants can enter a prize draw for one of
20 x $100 cash cards. Terms and conditions apply. 
Visit hnc.org.au/speak-up for more information.