Plan Inputs
Demographic Data
Commonwealth Requirements
Conclusions

Plan Inputs

Plan inputs came from:

• Commonwealth requirements.
• Strategic planning meetings of the Division Board.
• A postal survey of GP Members in relation to local health needs and practice needs.
• An IT audit of GP Practices.
• A review of existing Division programs.
• A canvass of the views of the Hospital Department of General Practice.
• A meeting with the Wingecarribee Consumers Participation Network.
• A postal survey of local medical specialists.
• A canvass of the views of the Health Service.
• Collection of data from the Epidemiology Unit of South West Sydney Health Service.
• Collection of data from Wingecarribee Shire Council including their social needs and policies.

Demographic Data

Population data for the area

The population of the area as at the 2001 Census was Wingecarribee Shire 40,840; Bargo 2574; and 50% of Kangaroo Valley of 341, making a total of 43,584 persons claimed for the Division's funding purposes. This was an increase of 7.7% on the 1996 Census figure.

Over the decade from 1991 to 2001 the average growth rate of 2.1% has been nearly twice that of NSW and Australia.

In the 2001 Census the age distribution in the Shire compared with NSW and Australia was:

The area is above the State and National average for children, below that for adults to 49 years and above the average for persons over 50.

The population of the Shire has changed between 1991 to 2001 as:

• The numbers of children 0 to 4 years decreased by 2.2% compared to +1.1% for NSW and -1.5% nationally.
• Numbers of children aged between 5 to 14 years increased by 21.1% compared to +6.6% for NSW and +6.7% nationally.
• Numbers of young people aged between 15 to 24 years decreased by 3.5%.
• Numbers of older persons aged 65 years and over increased by 53.2% compared to +21.6% for NSW and +24.3% nationally.

Aboriginality

The 2001 Census showed there were 497 persons in the Shire who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This represented 1.2% of the Shire's population compared to 1.9% for NSW and 2.2% nationally.

Since 1991, the number of indigenous residents increased by 151%, compared to 71.4% for NSW and 54.5% nationally.

Ethnicity

The 2001 Census showed there were 5,952 residents born overseas. This was 14.6% of the Shire's population compared to 23.1% for NSW and 21.65% nationally. The 1991 Census showed that 15.1% of Shire residents were born overseas.

The 2001 Census showed that the country of origin for overseas born residents who were 1% or more of the Shire's population were New Zealand 1.3% and UK 6.9%.

Labour data

At the 2001 Census, 95% of the workforce were employed compared with 92.8% for NSW. 59.9% were in full time employment and 37% part time.

Socio,economic indicators

Compared to NSW and national data:

• lower average weekly earnings at $500 (NSW $525,national $502);
• higher home ownership;
• much lower proportion of persons in public housing;
• more households with 3 or more vehicles;
• higher proportion of persons with post school qualifications;
• higher percentage of 'blue collar' workers;
• more young people still at school;
• higher proportion of retired age persons;
• lower unemployment rates.

Youth data

Compared to NSW and national data, the Shire situation relating to persons aged 15 to 24 years is:

• a lower proportion of persons aged 15 to 24 years;
• a higher proportion not in the labour force;
• a lower proportion in full time employment;
• lower average weekly earnings;
• a higher proportion of lone parents;
• higher proportions employed as 'blue collar' workers.

Older persons data

Compared to NSW and national data, the Shire situation relating to older persons is:

• higher average incomes;
• higher proportion in the workforce;
• higher proportion in a marital or de-facto relationship;
• fewer widowed.

The 1997 Wingecarribee Shire Council Housing Needs Study estimated that the age groups 55 years and over are expected to experience higher percentage increases than any other age cohort, and by 2011 persons 55 and over will comprise 25% 0f the population.

Commonwealth Requirements

• Providing greater integration in primary care services, and at the interface with other sectors, especially for those individuals with complex and ongoing health conditions;
• Improving access to primary care services, with a focus on general practice and including but not limited to, Indigenous Australians, those residing in aged care facilities and those needing after hours services;
• Increasing the focus on population health including preventive care and improved chronic disease management; and
• Providing quality primary care services within a framework of continual learning from evidence.

Conclusions

1. Based on Commonwealth advice on likely funding, as presently known for 2004-2005, it is not possible to expand current Division activities. Therefore any new initiatives would have to be at the expense of existing activities.
2. The last major Needs Analysis, conducted in 1999, rated mental health and diabetes as priority needs areas amongst GPs. It is interesting to note that the present survey rates these areas well down the scale. This is interpreted as meaning that GPs are satisfied that these needs areas are being met. Nevertheless, given the prevelance and seriousness of diabetes, this remains a priority area.
3. Based on surveys and data collection the new priority areas are aged care, men's health and youth health.
4. The main needs identified in mental health are psychology services for stress, anxiety and depression. These are the main thrust of our current mental health programs under MAHS and BOMH funding.
5. A need for structured CV care was identified. This supports the current initiative between the Health Service and the Division to divert a current Health Service staff member (on a part time basis), into a joint Health Service / Division Program targeting secondary prevention in ischaemic heart disease.
6. The GP survey indicates that practice priorities are IT support and practice nurse training.
7. Whilst the response was limited and divided, it is interesting to note the interest in fundholding and the New Zealand GP service situation.
8. The views of the Wingecarribee Consumer Participation Network be taken into account.