Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) is partnering with Gateway Health to deliver and expand Community Paramedic at Clinic (CP@clinic), an innovative program already improving health outcomes for people in regional and rural communities.
Aimed at reducing health barriers for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, CP@clinic offers free drop-in community clinics led by paramedics, which provide health screening, education, and referrals to other services.
The globally renowned program was introduced to the region by Gateway Health and currently operates Wangaratta, Corryong, Chiltern and Wodonga, where it has delivered more than 160 clinics and over 1000 health assessments since commencing in March 2024.
Building on this success, AWH and Gateway Health will launch a six-month pilot from 8 September, with AWH’s Aged Services Emergency Team actively involved in service delivery.
With AWH’s support, CP@clinic will expand into new locations, including across the border into New South Wales.
Currently, community members can work with experienced clinicians to complete health assessments and screenings (e.g. blood pressure, diabetes, walking tests), receive advice and support for managing chronic conditions, ask questions about their health and review medications, set and track personal health goals, and be connected to GPs, mental health services, and local community supports.
The partnership will place a stronger focus on social prescribing, which means connecting people not only to medical care, but also to local community groups, supports and activities that can make a meaningful difference to their health and wellbeing.
AWH CEO Bill Appleby said the agreement will strengthen CP@clinic’s reach and impact, ensuring more communities benefit from accessible, preventative care close to home.
“At its core, CP@clinic empowers people to take charge of their health and connects them to care and community before a crisis occurs," Mr Appleby said.
"By scaling this program alongside Gateway Health, we can expand CP@clinic to more communities, provide timely care, ease pressure on emergency and ambulance services and ensure the most vulnerable in our region have equitable access to care and support.
“This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration across our region, while also advancing the kinds of innovative, preventative models of care that are essential to strengthening our health system for the future.”
Trent Dean, Gateway Health CEO, said by supporting the CP@clinic trial and involving the Aged Services Emergency Team in service delivery, AWH is strengthening preventative health care across northeast Victoria and southern NSW.
"This partnership allows us to reach some of the most marginalised in our community, reduce preventable hospital presentations, and help people remain well and supported at home.
"It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when health services work together and lead with heart,” Mr Dean said.
Community paramedic Alicia Turnbull said a key benefit of the program has been the ability to form meaningful, long-term relationships with clients in our existing clinics. "These aren’t one-off visits, they allow for ongoing engagement and relationship-building, which fosters trust and leads to better long term health outcomes," Ms Turnbull said.
"Beyond treating physical issues, we address broader social determinants like housing, income, and food security."
Lauren Rudd, also a community paramedic, said the program had multiple benefits for patients.
"Unlike emergency care, where interactions are brief, community care lets us support individuals over time and witness real improvements in their health and quality of life," Ms Rudd said.
"A key strength of this model is its focus on early intervention and prevention - helping people access support before issues escalate to emergency care."