The South Australian Public Health Act 2011 (the Act) brought a new approach to public health in South Australia, and broadened the traditional scope of public health concerns to promote health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. This includes priority populations such as those who live within disadvantaged communities, and special and vulnerable groups (such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders).
Holmes Dyer was engaged to assist the Yorke Peninsula Alliance comprising Yorke Peninsula Council, Barunga West Council, and Copper Coast Council to undertake a review of its Regional Public Health Plan as outlined in Section 51 of the Act.
Holmes Dyer coordinated the review process across the region, and delivered a refreshed four year Public Health Plan to meet legislative requirements.
The development of the Regional Health Plan included:
- Comprehensive assessment of the state of public health in the region;
- Review of the macro environment – policies, plans, legislation and trends in public health for the State and the region;
- Review of the region’s social, economic, and environmental context to identify emerging challenges and opportunities for the public health of communities;
- Identification of opportunities and strategies for promoting public health in the region;
- Targeted engagement with key stakeholders and staff of the Yorke Peninsula Alliance to assess gaps and opportunities for a future Regional Public Health Plan;
- Creation and implementation of a public consultation process to inform an updated plan; and
- Delivery of the updated Regional Public Health Plan.
