HNECC PHN installs preventive health service station

The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has installed a Gen 2 SiSU Mini Health Station at Timbs Pharmacy in Glen Innes with an aim to enhance preventive health services in the region.

HNECC PHN Chief Executive Officer Richard Nankervis stated, “Our longstanding commitment to Glen Innes, a community that has historically faced healthcare limitations, drives this project forward. By introducing this innovative digital health solution, we are actively addressing the health disparities faced by rural communities.”

Rural and remote Australians face unique health challenges, including lower life expectancies, higher rates of chronic diseases, and limited access to healthcare services compared to urban populations, the HNECC PHN said in a statement. Notably, the New England region has consistently reported poorer health outcomes relative to both New South Wales and national averages.

The SiSU Mini Health Station offers residents a convenient, free way to monitor their health. In four minutes, users can measure essential health indicators, including weight, body composition, blood pressure and heart rate.

The Health Station will recommend that individuals with elevated results consult a GP or pharmacist for further assessment. Healthcare providers can then propose personalised interventions, including lifestyle changes, exercise plans or medications, to address specific health risks such as heart disease.

Image caption: Tom Synnott, PHN Digital Technology Lead; Dimity Newsome, Pharmacist; Annabelle Williams, PHN Rural Health Access Manager. Image: Supplied.