Kempsey - LGA

Health Needs Assessment 2025 - 2028

Kempsey Local Government Area (LGA)

An overview of the Kempsey Local Government Area (LGA) health needs is provided. The Health Needs Assessment (HNA) process utilised a comprehensive, mixed-methods approach to collect and analyse data on the health and service needs of the North Coast region.

Key Information

Kempsey LGA – Factsheet
Key messages – Demographics and Social Determinants
Key messages – Primary Healthcare in the region
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Health Needs Assessment Kempsey LGA

Located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Kempsey Local Government Area (LGA) sits on the Traditional Lands of the Dunghutti Nation. Kempsey LGA is part of the Mid North Coast Local Health District and Kempsey – Nambucca SA3. The region’s diverse landscape includes coastal areas, rural farmlands, and hinterland regions, offering a mix of natural beauty and country living.

The town of Kempsey serves as the main administrative and commercial centre of the LGA. The Macleay River, a prominent feature of the area, provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. With a high proportion of Aboriginal peoples and a substantial prevalence of chronic disease, it’s important to recognise the diversity within the community and ensure that health services are culturally safe and tailored to meet local needs.

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Footnote: throughout this document ‘survey’ refers to the 2024 Better Health Community survey undertaken as part of the Health Needs Assessment 2025-28 consultation process

Key messages

DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS

Demographics

Population 30,688, 6% of the North Coast population. Projected to increase by 3% by 2031 (5% increase North Coast).
Population density: 9 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
13% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
Median age 48 (47 North Coast, 39 NSW) lowest across the North Coast LGAs
25% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 18% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).

Children and younger people

2 in 7 children were assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.
1 in 2 survey participants found it difficult to access a GP for a child in their care

Opportunity: Work in partnership to improve education, support, community and peer-based services for children and families.

Fully immunised children rates:

94% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
91% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
97% of 5-year-old children (94% NSW and Australia).

Older people

62% of people aged 65 or over have at least one long-term health condition.
2% live with dementia. Expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
54% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges included a lack of services and difficulty in organising them.

Did you know: Care finders is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people who have no one else who can support them to learn about, apply for and set up support services. Learn more about Care Finders

Aboriginal health and wellbeing

Healthy North Coast works in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and communities. Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service provides services to the Aboriginal communities across the LGA and to neighbouring communities.

28% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Kempsey – Nambucca SA3. (Highest in the North Coast).

Connection to country and culture is key for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples social and emotional wellbeing. Programs that Aboriginal peoples identified to help keep Aboriginal communities healthy and strong:

Exercise and fitness
Employment programs
Health screening services
Parenting programs
Women’s health
Quit smoking / vaping

Opportunity: Collaborate with Aboriginal communities across Kempsey to co-design culturally appropriate services that address specific health needs

Social determinants

95 per 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast, 58 per 1,000 NSW). Highest in North Coast.
Median total weekly personal income $550 ($652 North Coast, NSW $813).
12 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence (NSW 4 per 1,000). Increased 30% from 2021 Highest in North Coast.
Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score of 903. The lowest in the North Coast.

Housing and homelessness

Affordable housing is limited in the Kempsey LGA. Of 51 rental properties:
- None were affordable for singles or couples on Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, or Age Pension.
- 20 were affordable for a couple with 2 children on minimum wage and Family Tax Benefits A and B.
- 1 was affordable for a single person on minimum wage or a couple on Age Pension.
5 in 1000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1000 in Australia).
8 in 1000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1000 in Australia). Highest in North Coast.
29% single or lone households (25% NSW, 26% Australia) and 3% group homes (4% NSW and Australia).

Opportunity: Enhance support by integrating services for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Key messages

PRIMARY HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN THE LGA

Preventative health and chronic disease

When you were asked….

What kind of programs would you like more of, to keep you and your community healthy and strong?

Health screening services
Exercise and fitness
Women’s health
Support with daily living / personal care

Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?

Ageing population
Lack of access to health care
Mental health issues
Drug and alcohol use

1 in 4 people have 2 or more chronic conditions.
The most common chronic conditions are osteoarthritis and anxiety. Kempsey LGA ranks second in the North Coast region for chronic kidney disease, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and type II diabetes.

Opportunity: Strengthen and enhance preventative health programs to reduce the prevalence and impact of chronic conditions.

Cancer screening participation and diagnosis

Cancer screening participation:

38% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
54% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
43% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%).

The most diagnosed cancers:

Urogenital cancer
Skin cancer
Breast cancer.

The cancer with the highest death rate is upper gastrointestinal cancer (50 per 100,000).

Mental Health

Shared experiences with mental health:

1 in 10 people needed to access a mental health service but couldn’t
5 in 10 people reported mental health as one of the most serious health concerns in the community
6 in 10 found it difficult to access a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
The top challenges to access mental health services:
- cost
- lack of services.
In Kempsey- Nambucca SA3, the rate of suicide deaths (19 per 100,000) (11 per 100,000 population NSW).
Nearly 2 in 10 people in the Mid North Coast experience high or very high levels of psychological distress.

Opportunities: Explore and implement innovative approaches to strengthen prevention, treatment and mental health support programs suited to a rural area. This should include increased education and support for community members and healthcare providers, and access to digital based services.

Did you know: Medicare Mental Health Centres can help you access the local mental health services and supports that are right for you. No referral needed, access by phoning 1800 595 212 or visit the website.

Healthcare in Kempsey LGA

15 general practices
38 general practitioners
For every full time GP there are 833 patients
7 pharmacies
12 dentists.
The Kempsey District Hospital is an 81-bed level three facility with a level four 24-hour Emergency Department and various specialist services, including general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, mental health, drug and alcohol, renal dialysis, and rehabilitation.
Kempsey Community Health and South West Rocks Community Health provide a range of community, allied and educational health services and programs.

Access to primary and community health services

After-hours GP service attendance rate for Kempsey – Nambucca SA3 is 4% (Australia 17%). Access to after-hours GP services remains a challenge and may contribute to higher ED admissions.
56% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52 % North Coast, 48% NSW).

Barriers to accessing primary care include:

long wait times
difficulty getting an appointment
cost
lack of services.

Opportunity: Enhance digital health services and education to improve inclusive access to care, particularly in rural areas. Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.

Did you know: North Coast Health Connect is a free and confidential 24-hour service where you can receive medical advice from a registered nurse and be connected to a face-to-face or virtual bulk-billed GP appointment if needed. Phone: 1800 198 888

Commissioned services in Kempsey LGA

HNC commissions a range of community-based services to address local health needs.

These include: