New Partnership Connects Healthcare and Community Wellbeing

Healthy Cities Australia (HCA) is proud to announce a new collaboration with Southern IML Pathology that will help connect thousands of general practitioners, medical specialists, and healthcare practices with practical community health and wellbeing programs across New South Wales. 

Through Southern IML Pathology’s extensive courier network of over 30 cars extending from Engadine to Narooma, information about Healthy Cities Australia’s evidence-based community programs will be distributed directly to medical practices, providing doctors and healthcare teams with greater awareness of local opportunities that can support patients beyond the clinical setting. Southern IML Pathology has a long history of providing diagnostic services to general practitioners, specialists, hospitals, and healthcare providers across the region, making it uniquely positioned to help strengthen connections between healthcare and community wellbeing.  

While doctors play a vital role in diagnosing and treating illness, they also understand the broader social, environmental, and lifestyle factors that influence health outcomes. This new collaboration recognises the important role that healthcare professionals can play in connecting patients with preventative health initiatives that support healthier lifestyles and stronger communities. 

Sothern IML Pathology CEO Prof. Caitlin Keighley welcomed the collaboration which was initiated at the start of the year. 

“As a patient-centred organisation, we know pathology results are a cornerstone of detection and prevention. This partnership helps connect patients to practical, community-based programs that support prevention and long-term wellbeing.” Said Caitlin 

HCA delivers a range of programs designed to improve physical activity, healthy eating, social connection, and overall wellbeing. By increasing awareness of these programs among GPs and practice staff, more patients can be referred to community-based opportunities that complement their medical care.  

One such initiative is HCA’s Cook Chill Chat program, a six-week community cooking and nutrition program that brings people together to prepare healthy meals, develop cooking skills, improve nutrition knowledge, and reduce social isolation. The program has demonstrated significant benefits for participants, particularly those experiencing social disadvantage, loneliness, or barriers to healthy eating.  

Doctors may also identify patients who could benefit from HCA’s community walking programs, which encourage regular physical activity in a supportive and social environment. These programs provide a simple and accessible way for people to improve their fitness, mental health, and social connectedness while building healthy habits that can reduce the risk of chronic disease.  

Families living with asthma may be encouraged to participate in HCA’s asthma education workshops (Breathe Better Illawarra program), which provide practical information and support to help families better understand asthma management to reduce preventable hospitalisations. 

Healthy Cities Australia CEO Kelly Andrews said the collaboration demonstrates the value of bringing healthcare and community organisations together to address the root causes of poor health. 

“Doctors are often the first to recognise when patients could benefit from additional support beyond medical treatment. By working with Southern IML Pathology, we can help ensure healthcare professionals are aware of local programs that improve nutrition, physical activity, social connection, and overall wellbeing. Together, we can make preventative health support more visible and more accessible to the communities that need it most.” said Kelly.