What Does This Mean for WHISE?

All evidence from the region, policy and health practice reinforces the value of a gendered lens being applied to health and well being that is focused on women.

Data about our region’s current and future population tells us that our region is characterized by diversity – both through the people, places, cultures and industries that support them. In the future we know that growth in the region will continue putting extra pressure on our work to deliver sustainable outcomes. For WHISE, ensuring that our services and activity are aligned to these diverse cultural and linguistic needs will require us to work more collaboratively with our local partners, establish new connections with emerging communities and expand and deepen our knowledge of the changing CALD communities.

In summary the evidence from our region is directing us to:
  • Stick to our feminist gendered focus on primary prevention and health promotion for women’s health and wellbeing
  • Adapt our practice to recognize the opportunity that is available in the variability and diversity of our region – develop strategy yet apply locally
  • Recognise the drivers of our region – work beyond the health settings to embrace the economic social and community drivers as that is where change will happen
  • One size does not fit all – evolve learning methodologies to become strategic agents of change. Build capacity through close understanding of workforce, community and regional diversity in populations and growth
  • Seek systemic change – work at multiple levels as befits wicked challenges present in public health and primary prevention
  • Create organizational infrastructure that empowers our people and resources to leverage opportunity to make our vision a reality, make meaningful tangible partnerships that build on common agendas
The business plan activity for WHISE in the next 12 months will see WHISE address the key issues above and:
  • Deliver our new strategic plan for 2018 to 2022
  • Implement the second year of action plan for the regional prevention strategy Preventing Violence Together
  • Launch our new strategy for sexual and reproductive health in the region Good Health Down South as well as commence implementation
  • Increase our learning and training engagement with stakeholders in the region
  • Evolve our policy and practice settings including membership offer and ways of working
  • Increase our research activity
  • Expand our partnerships and collaborations