Families in five communities across the Greater Western Area are set to benefit from new HealthOne services that will bring together local GPs and other health professionals in one convenient location, GWAHS announced late last week.

HealthOne services have been approved for development in Canowindra, Gulgong, Coonamble, Dareton/Wentworth and Broken Hill.

Advanced planning is already underway for HealthOne centres in Molong and Rylstone.

GWAHS Chief Executive, Dr Claire Blizard, said HealthOne services would help GWAHS to provide fair and speedy access to health care.

"They enable health professionals and services to be located together to keep people well and out of hospital through early strategies to prevent ill health and ongoing integrated care of people with chronic illness," Dr Blizard said.

She said the HealthOne initiative recognises the importance and effectiveness of health services working with other partners, such as General Practitioners or other health care providers, to provide a community with a health service most suited to its needs.

Dr Blizard said detailed planning would now continue with the NSW Department of Health on the models of service and other stakeholders planned for each service.

"The NSW Department of Health will visit the towns over the coming months to discuss in detail GWAHS' proposals for each HealthOne service.

"Each centre will build on existing health services and be shaped by a clear understanding of the needs of its local community," Dr Blizard said.