Care Collective – South West: The co-design, pilot and evaluation of innovative primary care models in Far South West Queensland - ACHSM Asia-Pacific Health Leadership Congress in Darwin 2025

Abstract

The Care Collective – South West Primary Care Pilot (the Pilot) is a Commonwealth funded project aimed to co-develop and test innovative models that improve care integration and enhances hospital and primary health pathways in general practice and the community.

The Pilot focuses on improving health and wellbeing for people with complex conditions in Charleville, Quilpie, Cunnamulla and Thargomindah, four rural and remote communities in South West Queensland, by enhancing collaboration and service coordination among local health and non-health providers, building on existing strengths and addressing service gaps.

This innovative, place-based model for managing chronic conditions, improving access and coordination in rural communities fosters shared ownership and collaboration across local Councils, health services, primary care providers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community health organisations. It offers a scalable, transferable approach for other rural and remote communities to deliver sustainable, locally tailored health solutions.