Wentworth Healthcare Shines Light on Local Connector Programs

This Loneliness Awareness Week – 4 to 10 August 2025, Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network (NBMPHN), is shining a light on the health impacts of loneliness and social isolation, and the local support services available across the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas.

Research has shown that isolation and loneliness can shorten life expectancy by up to 15 years and can increase the risk of hospitalisation or early entry into nursing homes. The 2025 World Health Organisation report ‘From Loneliness to Social Connection’ highlights some of the key health impacts loneliness and isolation can have, including premature death, poor physical and mental health, greater psychological distress and general disconnection.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that the issue of loneliness and its effects on people’s health has been a priority in the local area for many years.

“In 2018, we commenced an initiative in the Upper Blue Mountains focused on a compassionate community approach. Building on this work, in 2019, we were selected as one of two Primary Health Networks nationally to develop and trial a Social Connectedness program," she said.

The program focused on reducing isolation and loneliness in older people, which recognises the importance of human connection, kindness and compassion to our overall health and wellbeing.

"It was so successful that we developed additional programs based off the same approach. These include community members who have been trained to be community connectors, organisations that are Community Connector Points, Health Connectors in general practice and Wellbeing Connectors. In 2023, we implemented Intergenerational programs, and most recently, a Pharmacy Connector in the Hawkesbury and Pharmacy Connector Points across the region,” she said.

“Our newest initiative with local pharmacies, trains pharmacy staff to recognise and assist vulnerable people experiencing loneliness and to socially prescribe activities, services or programs that may help them to build their connections and support networks,” she said.