Health and Wellbeing Needs Assessment of the communities of Perth, Longford, Evandale and Cressy in the Northern Midlands, Tasmania

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report details a Health and Wellbeing Needs Assessment of the communities of Longford, Perth, Cressy, Evandale and surrounding districts located in the northern section of the Northern Midlands Local Government Area. These areas are home to over 80% (n=9968) of the population base of the Northern Midlands Local Government Area (n=12,228). This study represents the first attempt to strategically map and record the current and future health service needs of this target population. The study was conducted between July 2012 and September 2013 by the University Department of Rural Health, Tasmania (UDRH) on behalf of, and in collaboration with, the Northern Midlands Council. The key aims and objectives of this Health and Wellbeing Needs Assessment include:  To create an up-to-date demographic profile of the designated study area.  To undertake an ‘audit’ of community assets in the study area (e.g. buildings, resources, and infrastructure that contribute to community health and well-being).  To consult with local health professionals, community stakeholders, service providers and community members through research methods including interviews and focus groups to obtain a snapshot of the population health and service needs of the study area.  To prepare a report outlining the key findings of the study and making recommendations of actions/’ways forward’ for addressing the key issues.