Western Linkages Workgroups – An Overview

Workgroups are informal groups of service providers that come together around common goals. Workgroups can facilitate collaboration at a variety of levels, ranging from networking/information sharing through to developing formalised partnerships and collaborative programs.  Workgroups rely solely upon the enthusiasm, abilities and energy of participants, and may be reviewed from time to time. Participation is open to any organisation that provides services to the HACC target group in the region, including profit and not for profit sectors.

Workgroups are based on regional priorities .  Meetings are a great way to network and always welcome new participants.  They provide staff with professional and personal development opportunities by facilitating:

  • out of agency networking and knowledge development, and
  • leadership, public speaking and meeting skills

Meetings generally commence with introductions and new attendees can expect a friendly welcome.  The only commitment required is a willingness to work with other agencies and share information!  'Welcome packs' for new participants are available at meetings and upon request. Most meetings include a ‘round robin’ where agencies can share information about their program, vacancies and issues.  Agendas and minutes are always circulated before each meeting.  Contact the Project Officer for more information. 

Current Workgroups:

(Meeting dates are also available under the 'diary dates' tab)
 
 1.      In Home Services Workgroup 
Western Linkages Contact Person: Susan Sharp, 8440 6737.  The In Home Services covers a range of services provided in the home, 
including domestic assistance.  Squalor has also been an area of interest for this workgroup.  The focus of the group is on facilitating 
initiatives that promote equity and access to a broad range of appropriate and affordable home based services.  
Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month, 2.30-4pm.  
 
2.      Social Isolation Workgroup
Western Linkages Contact Person:  Jennifer Fischer, 8440 6741.  Meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month, 1-2.30pm.   
This workgroup discusses and shares information on a diverse range of issues that impact upon loneliness and isolation amongst 
older people in the Western region.  
 
3.      Respite Workgroup
Western Linkages Contact Person: Jennifer Fischer, 8440 6741.  The Respite Workgroup continues to 
meet on the first Wednesday of every month (1-2.30pm) with the following shared goal:  To provide carers and care recipients with 
high quality, accessible, well co-ordinated respite options that respect their individual needs.  Participants include both HACC and 
NRCP funded programs as well as package providers. 
 
4.      Dementia Planning Action Group
Western Linkages Contact Person:  Susan Sharp, 8440 6737.  This group on the third Tuesday of each month, 9.30-11am to discuss 
dementia specific issues in the Western region.  The Dementia Action Planning Group aims to provide regionally specific information 
and networking sessions to service providers; with the aim to improved access and availability of services to low level and early onset 
dementia clients and their carers. 
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Workgroups in Abeyance:  The following are former workgroups that are no longer active.   
 
  1. Community Acute Sector Interface (CASI).  This group initiated the Hospital Home Pathways (HOP) project that resulted in
  2. establishing the Community Services Hub at TQEH, and the Your Health Record wallet containing the Community Services
  3. Referral Card, to improve the transition of older people from acute to community care.  Community Acute Sector Interface issues continue to be raised and discussed at Western Linkages Steering Committee.
  4.  
  5. Transport Workgroup.  Outcomes of this group included the Regional Transport Map and significantly improved collaboration
  6. across community transport providers by initiating shared arrangements to extend community transport over the weekends.
  7. Transport issues continue to  underpin many regional priorities and areas of unmet need, and are regularly raised and discussed at various workgroup and steering committee meetings.
  
Western Linkages will continue to take a watching brief in these areas.  This involves continuing to circulate information on issues as 
they arise and should there be a need, convening one-off regional meetings in response to specific issues. 
 
 
Western Linkages has observed over time that Workgroup activities often occur in cycles, moving across the different levels of collaboration – for instance:


Click to view larger Work Groups flow chart 


Please click the image to view a larger version


  
Updated June 2010