Behind the Scenes of a Rural Health Experience

When West Wimmera Health Service (WWHS) was invited to present at the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, they were faced with a dilemma: How do you showcase a vast and vibrant rural health service to an audience that can’t just hop on a bus to visit?

Spoiler alert: You take the Wimmera Mallee to them.

Working collaboratively with the marketing team at WWHS our goal was to distil the essence of their work—the who, what, when, where, how, and why—into a single 10-minute video. That would then be shown to a room full of healthcare heavyweights. No pressure, right?

Oh, and let’s not forget, they also needed three 5-minute case studies to dive into the nitty-gritty of what makes rural healthcare tick.

Our approach

For the main video, we wanted to create an experience— something that would make viewers feel like they were standing in the middle of the Wimmera plains.

We showcased the communities WWHS serves, diving into the challenges, and the wins. But we didn’t just want to tell people about WWHS; we wanted them to feel it. The isolation, the resilience, the pride.

Case Study: Innovation in Rural Healthcare

In this case study we looked at how WWHS is revolutionizing rural optometry and ophthalmic surgery. It’s not just about saving people a trip to the city; it’s about creating positive consumer experiences that are accessible and sustainable.

Case Study: Collaboration for Community Health

This case study was all about partnerships. We highlighted a groundbreaking university and health service collaboration that developed community health and wellbeing profiles.

Case Study: Empowering Individuals in Their Community

Finally, we zoomed in on a local farmer who, thanks to WWHS’s consumer-directed care, managed to stay active and productive in his own home. It’s one thing to hear about the benefits of tailored healthcare, but it’s another to see it in action. Truly inspiring.

The Outcome: A Standing Ovation (We Assume)

WWHS didn’t just participate in the conference—they brought the Wimmera Mallee to life, making it feel almost tangible, as if the region was right there in the room.

The feedback we received was that the videos drew people in, grabbing their attention and leaving a lasting impression - connecting with the audience in a meaningful way.