Creating a healthier, better connected Gippsland.

Latrobe Health Innovation Zone

The Victorian Government established the Latrobe Health Innovation Zone (LHIZ) in 2016 to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Latrobe City, with partners, local health providers and the community working together to drive innovation and change.

Latrobe Health Innovation Zone

The LHIZ provides a focal point for coordination and integration of health services and supports a range of health-related projects.

One such project is the LHIZ – Early Detection and Screening including Tobacco Initiative.

About the project

Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) is leading the LHIZ – Early Detection and Screening including Tobacco Initiative, which aims to support people to prevent illness before it occurs, detect illness early and ensure those who need treatment and support services, including to quit smoking, can access them locally.

The project is underpinned by developing an understanding of the enablers, barriers and challengers from a broad cross-section of the community, health services and providers, particularly in relation to attitudes and behaviours around health and screening.

Who we are working with

This project includes working alongside a number of partners with the aim of finding local solutions to improve health and wellbeing in our community. Our partners include the Latrobe Health Assembly, Latrobe Community Health Service, Latrobe Regional Hospital, General Practice Clinics, Cancer Council Victoria, Quit Victoria, BreastScreen Victoria, the Victorian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance and representatives from Latrobe health organisations, consumers and community groups.

What we are doing

Work within this initiative covers three key areas: smoking cessationpopulation-based cancer screening; and risk assessment and opportunistic screening.

Activities include partnership development and stakeholder liaison; building system capability and capacity; health system improvement; building knowledge through education and monitoring reporting, social marketing, community consultations, qualitative research activities and evaluation.

How we are measuring outcomes

Federation University Collaborative Evaluation Unit, based at the Gippsland campus, supports the evaluation of the Early Detection and Screening, including Tobacco Program, in line with The Latrobe Health Innovation Zone: Early Detection and Screening, including Tobacco Evaluation Framework and Implementation Plan.

Final Report: Latrobe Health Innovation Zone: Early Detection and Screening including Tobacco

Community consultation on opportunistic screening for risk factors for chronic disease.

Gippsland PHN presented_Final Report_Latrobe Valley_Community Consultation Risk Assessment & Opportunistic Screening

After Hours Program Gippsland PHN