Healthcare & Social Services
Western Downs Regional Council is advocating for increased investment in the health and social services workforce to ensure our residents can access the care they need for all stages of life, right here in the Western Downs.
We know that access to quality, local health care is essential - not just for treating illness, but for supporting wellbeing, liveability, and community resilience.
That’s why Council is calling for targeted funding and incentives to attract and retain health professionals in our region and to ensure that all residents can access whole-of-life care, close to home.
Why the Health Workforce Matters
The Western Downs is home to high-quality public and private health care providers, but like many regional areas, we face a growing gap between demand for services and the availability of skilled workers to deliver them.
Key findings from the 2021 Deloitte Workforce Gap Analysis(PDF, 659KB) show a shortfall of 110 health care workers across the region which is projected to grow to 334 workers by 2030, and that workforce shortages are limiting the delivery of essential services and contributing to poorer health outcomes for our residents.
What This Means for Our Region
Access to Care: Many residents are unable to access the health care they need locally. Long travel distances, lack of transport, and the cost of overnight stays often prevent people from attending appointments.
Isolation and Inequity: Those who do travel for care often do so without their support networks. Others miss out entirely - especially vulnerable groups like the elderly, people with disabilities, and those without digital access.
Digital Barriers: Limited internet and mobile coverage in some areas further restricts access to telehealth and online services, compounding the challenge.
Council’s Advocacy
We believe that everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves access to the same standard of care available in metropolitan areas.
A stronger local health workforce will improve wellbeing, reduce preventable illness, and support the liveability of our region, helping to attract and retain residents and workers across all sectors.
We’re calling for:
- Increased funding and subsidies to attract and retain health professionals in the Western Downs
- Support for training pathways that grow our local health and social services workforce
- Improved access to services that support wellbeing, illness prevention, and whole-of-life care
- Better integration of digital health services where appropriate