INTRODUCTION

The purpose of health improvement/service plans is to provide a clear direction for the provision of health services which meet the needs of a specific population for a stated planning period and achieves measurable health improvements and outcomes, consistent with achieving Better Health, Good Heath Care.

This purpose seeks to bring together two important aspects of planning in health. That of health improvement planning (which generally takes in a population focus eg children) and services planning (eg the organisation and delivery of health services for children). It is considered that by combining these two concepts the objectives and strategies you identify will be comprehensive and evidence based.

Plans may focus on:

• A particular population group, such as Aboriginal people or children;
• A particular health issue, such as mental health or coronary heart disease;
• A particular type of service, such as surgery, allied health or catering.

This Kit aims to assist you in developing a plan and will cover the following areas:

• Running a planning process
• Writing up a plan - including content and a suggested format
• Implementing the plan and strategy development
• Setting priorities

Developing a plan is an important part of ensuring that the services we provide are appropriate to the needs of the target group. The plan provides an opportunity to explicitly state your goals and objectives for improving health and how you are going to go about achieving this.

There are many documents and references regarding planning processes and plan development. The SWSAHS Division of Planning has put this Kit together to provide most of the information you will need to develop a plan, as well as some helpful hints.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Division of Planning should you wish to discuss information in the Kit or if you require any assistance in developing your plan.

If this is the first planning process you have had responsibility for, it is recommended that you consider approaching someone who is experienced and can give you support, provide guidance when needed, and act as a mentor.

The Division has a Web Page on the SWSAHS Intranet that contains a range of information such as demographic data (including population projections by age group and Sector Health Service) and Area Health Service maps that you may need for your plan. Different ways of presenting information have been used in the Kit. You might like to consider these formats when finalising your plan.

A copy of the Planning Kit is located here:-

Planning Kit

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