The Meaningful Engagement Strategy

Western NSW Local Health District

Finalist: Transforming Patient Experience Award

The Meaningful Engagement Strategy is establishing contemporary, meaningful community engagement mechanisms in Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) that build trust, bolster community partnerships, enable co-design, and improve patient experience.  

This is being done by creating Sub Regional Health Planning committees, setting up and promoting an online engagement platform, hosting community conferences and implementing and evaluating place-based projects.  

Results show that this initiative is increasing engagement, building partnerships and improving the design and delivery of healthcare in WNSWLHD:  

• New committees are more representative of diversity, with over 80 members 
• Initiatives are focusing on priority populations including remote, Aboriginal and migrant communities  
• The online digital platform has had more than 21,000 views, 3,000 contributions, and hosted 60 projects  
• More than 220 people have attended community conferences  
• More than ​95 local place-based projects are delivering tangible changes  
• The external partnership approach is resulting in creative solutions for healthcare barriers.