Round table to plan for Allied Health workforce initiatives in the Eurobodalla

I recently attended the first Eurobodalla Allied Health Round Table facilitated by Renee Wallace, Regional Coordinator, Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program. This program is funded by the Department of Social Services the Department of Health and is being delivered by Ernst & Young, First Peoples Disability Network (Australia) and the Community Services Industry Alliance. The aim of the program is to develop capacity of disability and aged care service providers to operate effectively and expand their workforce.

The Roundtable was organised to provide representatives an opportunity to identify issues, examine therapeutic and workforce models, discuss different approaches, and identify sustainable solutions for the Eurobodalla region. I joined representatives from University of Wollongong, University of Canberra, Eurobodalla Shire Council, NSW Department of Industry, TAFE NSW, Community Industry Group, and Eurobodalla Health Service. We discussed the challenges we face recruiting and retaining allied health professionals, the impact of the NDIS and began to explore solutions to ensure our community is well-supported in the future.

One of the clear issues to emerge was the need to invest in our young people to ‘grow our own’ workforce. It was good to see that everyone in the room had an appetite for collaboration to deliver training and development opportunities that would support and grow our allied health workforce and increase capability. I look forward to the next Round Table to agree on what local organisations can do together to create a capable and sustainable allied health workforce in the Eurobodalla.

More information and resources for providers can be accessed at the BLCW website.