Health report provides detailed picture of the health of the southwest

Cancer is the biggest killer in Sydney’s southwest, but a new report has found fewer new cases are being diagnosed. The report’s findings reveal a detailed picture of the health of the rapidly growing region.

A new report has been launched looking at the health of the southwest Sydney region.

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Fewer new cases of cancer are being diagnosed in Sydney’s southwest and deaths from heart disease have dropped by more than half, a new report reveals.

The South West Sydney: Our Health report was developed by the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network and South Western Sydney Local Health District to provide a detailed picture of the health of the region.

The document shows fewer new cancer cases were being diagnosed, but there were more deaths from cancer — the biggest killer in the southwest.

South Western Sydney Local Health District chair Sam Haddad, South Western Sydney Primary Health Network chief executive Keith McDonald, SWSLHD chief executive Amanda Larkin and SWSPHN chair Matthew Gray at the launch of the South West Sydney — Our Health report.

The rate of deaths from heart disease has also declined by 56 per cent since 2001-2002.

The report’s findings will be used to guide the allocation of resources and investments in the region.

SWSLHD chief executive Amanda Larkin said prevention and treatment of chronic diseases remained a key priority, with a number of the district’s programs integral to improving health outcomes.

“We’re increasing our use of robotic surgery, the cyclotron is identifying tumours in the early stages and our MRI-Linac partnership with Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research is a worldwide groundbreaking project helping to guide more precise cancer treatment,” she said.

“We are continuing our fight against heart disease through our three cardiac catheterisation laboratories that opened in recent years and our many dedicated health and diabetes programs at a grassroots level,” she said.

Fewer new cases of cancer are being diagnosed in Sydney’s southwest.

Ms Larkin said the health report provided data to help plan for the future.

SWSPHN chief executive Keith McDonald PhD said the information was helpful for developing facilities and services to meet the needs of the community.

“By 2031, south western Sydney’s population will reach 1.3 million people, an increase of more than 300,000 from 2016.

“As our community grows and changes, our planning and co-design of evidence-based health services to meet needs must also adapt to these changes.”