About Us
The key objectives of PHNs are to:
- Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes; and
- improve coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
PHNs will achieve these outcomes by:
- Understanding the healthcare needs of our community through analysis and planning, helping to identify and address service gaps
- Providing practice support services so that GPs are better placed to provide care to patients, keeping them healthy and out of hospital
- Supporting general practices in attaining the highest standards in safety
- Assisting general practices in understanding and making meaningful use of digital health systems
- Working with other funders to purchase or commission health services for local groups most in need, including patients with complex chronic conditions or mental illness
How your PHN can help you
PHNs support GPs and other health professionals, and deliver a range of programs for people in the community.
Your PHN can help you and your practice with:
- Localised clinical pathways
- Electronic referrals
- Accreditation and quality standards
- Chronic disease management and care coordination
- Digital health and secure messaging.
The government has agreed to six key priorities for targeted work by PHNs. These are:
- Mental health
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- Population health
- Health workforce
- Digital health
- Aged care
