Students uncover Rochester’s healthcare priorities

Students rotated through five key areas of REDHS, including community care, district nursing, acute urgent care, the GP clinic and allied health services.

Students also worked closely with Campaspe Shire Council to understand Rochester's future planning and development, learning how population growth, community infrastructure and flood recovery efforts influence future decision-making.

REDHS assistant director of quality and innovation Jonah Gruner said the program encouraged youth to be involved in Rochester’s future.

“We’re constantly looking for who’s going to be our replacements in the future,” he said.

“A lot of us are Rochy residents, and we want (REDHS) to be the kind of facility where we'd want to be taken care of.

“With these students coming up, they’re involved in the community, and they’re aware of the issues... and getting an idea of, ‘if this were mine, what could we do to improve this?’”

To better understand the community’s needs, students conducted a survey, collecting responses both online and in person at locations including Rochester Bakery, Rochester Community House and the Shire Hall.

On Tuesday, June 23, students presented their findings and recommendations to REDHS and special guests, including state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and state Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell.

The survey revealed several key concerns among residents, with access to general practitioners emerging as the most significant issue.

Participants reported difficulties securing appointments, long wait times and a shortage of doctors accepting new patients.

Students also found strong community concern about future healthcare demand, with more than three quarters of respondents expecting healthcare needs to increase over the next five to 10 years.

An ageing population, greater demand for aged care, chronic disease management services and improved access to mental health support were also identified as major priorities.

While most respondents rated REDHS positively, many reported needing to travel outside Rochester for specialist, diagnostic and allied health services, highlighting support for expanding local healthcare options wherever possible.

RSC health and physical education teacher Justin Coghill said students recognised the importance of the research they were conducting.

“The students have been really proud of their efforts, particularly towards the end of the program, where they began to see the impact that this project could potentially have for the wider Rochester community,” he said.

“When we handed out digital and physical surveys to Rochester residents down the street, and we started to analyse their feedback and data, they realised that what we were doing was important and far-reaching.”

Based on their results, students recommended improving access to primary healthcare, strengthening support for older residents, expanding community engagement and communication strategies.

The students also recommended greater access to counselling and wellbeing services for both residents and families during the transition into aged care, creating a more holistic approach that supports emotional wellbeing alongside physical health.

Campaspe Cohuna LLEN project co-ordinator Cath Elms said the program gave students an opportunity to contribute to a project with real community value.

“The Youth Takeover Program gives students the opportunity to step out of the classroom and into a real workplace, while contributing to a project that has genuine value for their community,” she said.

“It has been wonderful to see them recognise that their voices matter, and that young people can play an active role in shaping conversations about the future of their own community.”