For the first time since 2015, the department is going to check to see if the model actually delivers on government objectives.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has commissioned Boston Consulting Group to conduct a review of primary health networks’ business model, the first of its kinds since PHNs were established in 2015.
Submissions to the review opened on 2 December and will close at midnight on Wednesday 22 January, but will not be made public.
“Since PHNs were established the primary care sector has changed significantly and the role of PHNs has expanded in response to primary care and digital reforms, covid, climate driven emergencies, and impacts from workforce shortages,” said the DoHAC on the review’s homepage.
“Looking forward, Strengthening Medicare and MyMedicare, reviews of practice incentives, workforce distribution levers, Scope of Practice, the next National Health Reform Agreement, and commitments under Closing the Gap will also influence the future operating environment and the role of PHNs.
“PHN policy settings have not changed significantly since they were established.
“The DoHAC is initiating a review to examine the PHN Program business model in the context of the changing operating environment, and to ensure the Program is structured to meet Government objectives:
- improving the efficiency and effectiveness of health services for people, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes;
- improving the coordination of health services and increasing access and quality support for people.”
The department is seeking written responses across five key topics:
- program objectives and activities;
- program governance;
- regional planning, communication, and engagement;
- program funding arrangements; and,
- mental health flexible funding stream.
For more information about making a written submission, visit here.
Healthy North Coast
North Coast PHN has awarded $1 million to three groups as part of its 2024 Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program.
Queer Family, Plan C and The Returning will each receive funding to deliver programs over the next two years to help impacted North Coast communities in their recovery from the health and wellbeing impacts of natural disasters, and to build their capacity to respond to future events.
Since 2022, funding has been provided to 26 community wellbeing and resilience initiatives through the CWR program, valued at more than $6.3 million.
CEO of Healthy North Coast, Monika Wheeler said building community resilience was fundamental to improving health and wellbeing outcomes due to natural disasters and a changing climate.
“Our region includes a number of local government areas that have experienced high numbers of declared disasters, including the bushfires in 2021 and the Northern Rivers floods in 2022,” said Ms Wheeler.
“The CWR program focuses on improving community health and wellbeing through local projects that build social connection, strengthen the capacity of our volunteer and community organisations, and ensure communities are equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources to adapt to the health and wellbeing impacts of a changing climate.
“Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients, we’ve already witnessed many fantastic outcomes as a result of the CWR program and we’re looking forward to seeing the benefits that this latest round of funding will bring.”
Queer Family is a community-based, peer-led organisation in Mullumbimby that was formed in 2019 to address the critical need for support systems for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Its Queer Wellbeing program provides social connection opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community to support resilience and wellbeing, addressing a critical need for safe, culturally appropriate, queer-affirming support systems for a vulnerable, marginalised community particularly during crisis and recovery.
Plan C is a not-for-profit charity founded in 2019 with the mission to build community resilience and regeneration through education, research, mentoring, partnerships and support programs.
In collaboration with community groups, councils, emergency agencies and universities, more than 240 local leaders impacted by disasters will be trained, equipped, and mentored to become a network of volunteer community carers and responders.
The CCR network supports crisis prevention, preparedness, response and recovery across Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and the Tweed.
The Returning focuses on Indigenous culture and healing, delivering programs for women, First Nations mothers and babies, Indigenous youth, and camps for men, women, jarjums and Elders.
Their Wellbeing and Resilience, Our Way program is an Aboriginal designed and led initiative to increase the health and resilience of Indigenous individuals and communities on Bundjalung Country and surrounds (Northern NSW).
It focuses on meeting the local health and wellbeing needs of Indigenous individuals, families and communities, in particular those impacted by the 2022 floods.
Northern Queensland PHN
NQPHN has released its annual report for 2023-24, available here.
One stat that leapt from the page was that a whopping 64.6% of NQPHN’s $80 million expenditure went on mental health and AOD, while just 6% went to general practice and other primary care professionals.
Population health got 16.3% of the pie, First Nations health 10.4% and system integration 2.7%.
Not surprisingly, the PHN was keen to highlight the positive and nominated the following achievements for the year:
- More than 73,000 people received mental health services funded by Northern Queensland PHN, 15,460 of them were new clients.
- Over 40,900 Integrated Team Care services were coordinated for First Nation’s peoples by the region’s 12 service providers.
- The care finder program recorded more than 1,590 client engagements to help vulnerable older people.
- The two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Cairns and Townsville have recorded more than 12,000 visits each since opening almost 12 months ago (6,000 in the 2023-24 financial year).
- After engaging with more than 580 stakeholders, Northern Queensland PHN recently remodelled North Queensland’s mental health stepped care services and launched MyndKind.
- Northern Queensland PHN worked closely with all four hospital and health services in the region to progress the Joint Regional Needs Assessment, which will be released next year.
- 27 clinicians were placed in North Queensland, including 18 GPs, four physiotherapists, an occupational therapist, podiatrist, registered nurse, social worker and speech pathologist.
- Financial support was made available to health professionals under the Maternal and Child Health Workforce Uplift program for professional development directly related to primary care child and maternal health capability.
- A professional development program specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and health practitioners was implemented.
- Northern Queensland PHN hosted 76 education and training events for the continuous professional development of more than 1,650 participants.
New board members at SEMPHN
South Eastern Melbourne PHN has welcome three new members to its board:
- Cris Massis – CEO of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and director of Saint George Consulting. He brings extensive leadership and governance experience from healthcare, finance, and professional sports;
- Kirstan Corben – board chair at Better Health Network and a recognised leader in governance across the health, community, and sports sectors in Victoria; and,
- Dr Tim Ross – deputy chief health officer at Telstra Health, with over 25 years of experience as a general practitioner and corporate clinician.
The trio replaces retiring board members Alison Roberts, Dr Michael Cross and Micaela Drieberg.
North Western Melbourne PHN
NWMPHN has extended the deadline for submissions to its survey on readiness for MyMedicare policy changes.
The PHN wants to hear from GPs, nurses, practice managers and other practice staff.
The deadline has been extended to Friday 13 December. Complete the survey here.