Building stronger partnerships between health services and communities
Health services provide essential clinical care, but people also need social connection, practical support and strong community networks throughout ageing, serious illness, caregiving, dying and grief.
Compassionate Communities Australia works alongside health services, communities and decision-makers to strengthen partnerships that improve care beyond the walls of hospitals and healthcare facilities.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Better health outcomes require stronger community connections
Australia’s health system delivers world-class clinical care, yet many people continue to experience loneliness, isolation and practical challenges that healthcare alone cannot resolve.
Communities play a vital role in supporting people before, during and after illness. When health services work alongside local communities, people receive more holistic support that addresses their emotional, social, cultural and practical needs as well as their medical care.
Building these partnerships creates healthier communities, improves patient experiences and contributes to more sustainable health systems.
OUR ADVOCACY STATEMENT
Strengthening health services through community partnership
The Challenge
Health systems are increasingly stretched by growing demand, workforce pressures and complex community needs.
While clinical care remains essential, opportunities are often missed to work alongside communities that can provide ongoing social, emotional and practical support.
Our Vision
Health services and communities working together as equal partners to support people through every stage of life.
Clinical care is strengthened by connected communities, creating more person-centred, holistic and sustainable approaches to health and wellbeing.
What Needs to Change
We believe stronger partnerships can be achieved by:
✔ Recognising the important role communities play alongside health services.
✔ Building genuine partnerships between health services and local communities.
✔ Supporting community-led initiatives that improve wellbeing and social connection.
✔ Including community voices in planning and decision-making.
✔ Developing community capability through education and practical resources.
✔ Encouraging healthcare professionals to understand and champion the Compassionate Communities approach.
Working Together
Creating lasting change requires collaboration between:
- Hospitals and health services
- Primary Health Networks
- General practitioners
- Community organisations
- Local governments
- Researchers
- Universities
- Palliative care providers
- Aged care providers
- Community members and volunteers
Together, we can strengthen both healthcare and community wellbeing.
FROM HEALTHCARE TO COMMUNITY CARE
Supporting people beyond clinical treatment
Much of what matters most to people happens outside healthcare settings.
It happens at home.
With family.
Among neighbours.
In workplaces.
Within local communities.
By strengthening these everyday networks of care, we help create communities where people feel supported long after a clinical appointment has ended.
TAKE ACTION
Every health service can strengthen community connection
Whether you’re part of a hospital, community health service, general practice, Primary Health Network or specialist service, there are practical ways to strengthen partnerships with your local community.
You can:
- Build stronger community partnerships.
- Support community-led initiatives.
- Include community voices in planning.
- Promote practical resources.
- Share this advocacy statement.
- Start conversations within your organisation.
Together, we can build health systems that recognise community as an essential partner in care.
BUILDING COMMUNITY CAPABILITY
Supporting communities alongside clinical care
Community capability is built through knowledge, confidence, relationships and practical action.
Compassionate Communities Australia helps strengthen that capability by:
- Sharing evidence-based resources.
- Improving death and grief literacy.
- Supporting local partnerships.
- Encouraging community-led innovation.
- Connecting organisations and communities.
- Promoting practical approaches that improve wellbeing.
Together these actions strengthen both communities and health services.
RELATED RESOURCES
Looking for practical resources?
Explore Australia’s Community Resource Hub for guides, research, organisations and practical tools that strengthen partnerships between health services and communities.
Compassionate Communities Australia is the national organisation building community capability through advocacy, practical resources, partnerships and community-led action.
