We help those most at risk of poor health by improving health equity and access to services that transform and save lives.
While the Australian health care system is one of the best in the world, it can be difficult to access for a variety of reasons. Where someone is born, where they live, how much money they earn, and lack of service availability or suitability, can all impact their health.
It is therefore vital for people to get the care they need, closer to home, to avoid using the hospitals and specialists unnecessarily and experience better health outcomes and quality of life.
We achieve this by:
- Supporting general practice to deliver the highest quality patient care.
- Funding local primary health care services based on the needs of the community.
- Connecting local services to simplify the health care system.
We also have a strong emphasis on innovation and system reform.
Examples of our activities
Leading the planning, funding, monitoring and evaluation of primary health care services to address local needs
Leading the co-design of new models of care which better address the needs of those most at risk.
Identifying and targeting services to priority ‘hotspot’ locations across WA – areas with poorer health status and higher rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations.
Using digital health to improve continuity and access to care closer to home.
Supporting GPs and building workforce capacity within the alcohol and other drugs and mental health sectors.
Managing WA’s headspace services and the headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program.
Emerging areas of focus
PHNs have an increasingly important role in improving the health outcomes of older people, whose needs for high quality aged care services are growing as the population ages. Find out more about our enhanced role in aged care and palliative care.
We also coordinate a strong primary health care response to emergencies, pandemics such as COVID-19 and natural disasters where and when needed, further reducing pressure on hospitals and specialists.