Kowanyama

Key stakeholders in the Kowanyama community are working collaboratively and participating in the Integrated Health Care Planning for Health and Prosperity (place-based planning) project. The project aims to improve the responsiveness of health services to the health needs of communities in the North Queensland region. Resources and workshop information for project activities in Kowanyama will be posted on this webpage.

Co-design work starting in 2024!

Our team will be visiting Kowanyama in May. We are keen to yarn with anyone who is interested in sharing their stories about health.

Download the project flyer here

How will place-based planning happen in Kowanyama?

Key local stakeholders will undertake the reference group role and provide advice and guide the project.

Co-design workshops and interviews are planned involving community members, service providers, managers and other key stakeholders to identify issues and explore solutions. Everyone is welcome. We will explain the project and how you can be involved. We have information sheets and participants will be asked to provide written consent. Participation is voluntary.

Following the co-design discussions an action plan will be developed and prioritised, and 1 or 2 small feasible actions implemented. Evaluation may be undertaken in relation to the co-design process and also impacts of the actions.

A local Project Support Officer has been recruited to help coordinate local communication and activities, implement actions and help with evaluation.

What is place-based planning?

Place-based planning takes ‘an holistic approach to health services planning’. It is informed by exploring multiple different types of data including demographic, socioeconomic, workforce, and health behaviours and status; and developing partnerships between local health service providers (public and private), community groups, local, state/regional and national governments and their relevant agencies to use this data, with the benefit of local knowledge, to develop and deliver health programs and services.” (Yeboah 2005)

It takes: “a locally grounded approach to generate locally relevant solutions.” (Panzera 2016)

References
Yeboah, D. A. (2005). A framework for place based health planning. Australian Health Review, 29(1), 30-36. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1071/AH050030
Panzera AJ, Murray R, Stewart R, Mills J, Beaton N, Larkins S. Regional health workforce planning through action research: lessons for commissioning health services from a case study in Far North Queensland. Aust J Prim Health. 2016;22(1):63-68. doi: 10.1071/PY15149. PMID: 27469053.