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A new UK 10-Year Health Plan prioritising neighbourhood health centres and community-based care, reflects a model that has successfully been delivered in Victoria for over 50 years.
Victoria's community health sector has long been a leader in accessible, holistic and person-centred healthcare – providing wraparound care, tailored to individual needs and delivered close to home.
The UK's newly announced plan aims to transform its health system by establishing a new neighbourhood health services that will 'bring care into communities, bring professionals together in patient-centred teams... it will improve access and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions' [1] The Neighbourhood Health Centres are to be designed to provide integrated care close to home, reduce hospital demand, and give patients more control over their health.
"The UK's new plan aligns with what we've known for years: community health is the future of healthcare," said Anna Robinson, Chair of Community Health First and CEO of Access Health & Community "Victoria is already leading the way, and with the right investment, we can do even more."
With over 250 locations across the state and 600,000+ clients served annually, Victoria's registered independent community health services are deeply embedded in local communities. These services play a critical role in reducing the need for costly hospital care and ensuring Victorians have access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
"Community health services are not just a safety net – they are a proactive, people-centred solution to the challenges facing our health system," said Robinson. "We're proud to be delivering care that is local, inclusive, and focused on what matters most to individuals and families."
Case Study: Outreach That Reduces Hospital Visits
Community health services deliver targeted programs that support people with complex needs – such as poorly managed chronic disease, mental health conditions and addiction – who are frequent users of hospital services.
The Pathways program, delivered by EACH in partnership with Eastern Health, is a standout example of patient-centred care. Pathways commenced in 2023, building off earlier successful trial programs, to address chronic health conditions in the east of Melbourne. The program provides access to quality ongoing chronic disease management and social services through outreach and telehealth consultations, outside of the hospital system, to meet the individual needs of the client.
Care Coordinators create relationships with clients, building trust and understanding while educating and supporting both carers and clients that gain confidence in self-management of complex health issues.
It has demonstrated significant reductions in hospital demand:
Emergency Department presentations down by 61%,
Hospital admissions down by 54%
Total bed days down by 64%.
61% of clients who completed the program for more than six months had no further hospital admissions.
In 2023-24 the program cost $551,201 to administer and led to an estimated $4,855,651 - $7,319,911 in consolidated savings to the healthcare system.
These outcomes show that community health is local care that works – ensuring people receive the support they need, where and when they need it.
