About CHIP

“Chronic disease is fast becoming the world's next tsunami, swelled by increasing levels of obesity, unhealthy eating, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Sixty per cent of all deaths worldwide are now due to chronic diseases, principally heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. In  Australia, medical care costs for a person diagnosed with diabetes are almost double than that for a person without the condition, such that more than $3 billion is spent annually on the health care costs of diabetes—expenditure that could be better spent on conditions which cannot be prevented or treated adequately.”  John Catford, Editor in Chief, Health Promotion International - 2007

“Creating a greater focus on prevention is at the core of the Government’s health reform agenda.” “Australia needs a health care system that keeps people well, not just one that looks after them when they are sick.” -  Press release - 2009 "It cannot be about governments imposing solutions on the community. It needs engagement, action and responsibility to be taken by individuals, families, communities, industries and businesses."   "We need to bring together the best expertise in country, and we need to engage employers, businesses, other sectors and the wider community in prevention."Australian Parliment House of Representatives  10 Sept 2009 - The Hon Nicola Roxon MP - Minister for Health and Ageing

Strategy

CHIP has defined its work in three areas: Prevention Programs, Health Care Innovation and Global Programs and has developed a single page strategy around each of these areas (see Strategy.)

The CHIP Leader's Forum

The vision and work of CHIP extends beyond SWAHS in three areas: 

1. Prevention
2. Health Care Innovation
3. Global Programs

These are described on this website. The Chairs of the CHIP Leaders Forum are Ms. Alison McLaren, President of WSROC and Professor Steven Boyages, Chief Executive, SWAHS. The vision, strategic direction and work of CHIP are guided by the Leaders Forum Members. See members

• Go to Leaders Forum Information

Context

Key Reports - In September 2009 two key reports were released from the Australian Government,

1. “A Healthier Future for All Australians” from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission
2. “Australia: The Healthiest Country by 2020: National Preventative Health Strategy- the roadmap for action” from National Preventative Health Taskforce. 

These contain over 100 recommendations that call for re-prioritization, re-alignment of resources and a call to action to improve the way health promotion and health services are delivered.  

Health Costs are escalating with the aging of the population, lifestyle changes have contributed to a growing epidemic of obesity and chronic disease.  Mental illness is contributing substantially to the burden of disease and stigma related to this area has contributed to a lack of resources and poor integration of achieving mental wellness in prevention and health care services.

Western Sydney - Now these observations can apply widely to NSW and Australia.  However, what the Centre for Health Innovation and Partnership (CHIP) would like to focus on is how this applies to the area where SWAHS has a responsibility - people living in Western Sydney. 

In January 2009 the Centre for Health Innovation and Partnership (CHIP) was formed in Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) with a commission to mobilize leaders and organizations from multiple sectors interested in improving the wellbeing and health of people living in Western Sydney.  (See the terms of reference when CHIP was established). 

In preventing ill health and wellbeing the real action needed lies largely beyond the health sector, although the health sector needs to take a central role in advocacy and partnership with others. 

CHIP Partners

CHIP is mobilizing leaders from multiple sectors to partner with in its work.  Ownership of projects and recognition of any success will largely remain with partners. (See a list of partners)

Resources

Two presentations illustrate the emerging vision for CHIP: 

1. Alison McLaren, President of WSROC, and CHIP Leaders Forum Chair, presented to Departments of Local Councils, Treasury and Health and Aging in Canberra, July 2009.
2. Glen F Maberly’s, Director CHIP presented to the SWAHS Area Executive Directors Meeting, 10th August 2009.  

CHIP Oversight

CHIP has an Executive Management Team (EMT) to provide oversight to the CHIP Unit.  The SWAHS Chief Executive is chair of the CHIP EMT and other members are tier two Executive Directors and the Director of Public Relations.  

The CHIP Advocates

CHIP is not an organization but a network of committed individuals that share a common vision and agree to work for a shared purpose. CHIP is inviting people from multiple sectors and with a variety of expertise to join the network and support projects. 

The CHIP advocates are invited to CHIP Forum where best practices and innovative ideas for action are explored. CHIP advocates are invited to join project activities and are included on CHIP regular communications. 

If you are interested in becoming a CHIP advocate please contact the staff in the CHIP Unit.