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Heathcote Health has joined forces with other regional health services and La Trobe University as part of project which aims to identify new ways of improving the health and wellbeing of the Heathcote community.

Along with Rural North West Health and Rochester and Elmore District Health Service, the hospital will work closely with La Trobe University over the next 12 to 18 months to involve district residents in an innovative, community-based health project.

La Trobe Rural Health School’s Professor Jane Farmer said the project was a good opportunity to empower communities from within.

‘‘Often communities are asked their opinion and then researchers go away and develop solutions that often don’t meet community need,’’ Prof. Farmer said.

‘‘This project is driven by the community. Community members will work together over a twelve to eighteen month period to discuss, develop and test great ideas.’’

Prof. Farmer said for sustainable community planning, people must have the right information.

‘‘In each community we will have an experienced team of researchers that will support the community to ensure that they have the information they need to really understand their community,’’ she said.

‘‘There will be exciting opportunities to look at what has been done well in their community and also to see the innovation that has occurred in other communities,’’ Prof. Farmer said.

To take part in the project, contact Heathcote Health on 54310900.