Gippsland PHN today welcomed the findings and recommendations of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Review of the PHN Business Model and the Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream, conducted by Boston Consulting Group.
The Review confirms the critical role of Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in commissioning locally responsive, high-quality primary health care and highlights opportunities to strengthen governance, streamline funding, and enhance performance measurement.
Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch, said
“This Review acknowledges the value of that local knowledge and provides a pathway to strengthen the PHN program so we can continue to support better health outcomes for our communities.”
Key recommendations supported
The Review recommendations include reforms focused on:
- Clarifying accountability: reinforcing PHNs’ role as trusted partners of the Commonwealth, accountable for improving local primary care.
- Minimum governance and engagement standards: supporting consistent and transparent practices across PHNs.
- Meaningful performance assessment: strengthening consistent measurement and reporting to support continuous improvement.
- Streamlined funding processes: moving to longer-term grant arrangements, reducing prescriptive schedules, and accelerating funding disbursement to support service stability and provider confidence.
- Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream reforms: streamlining funding and supporting PHNs to commission, coordinate and build capacity in line with local needs and planning.
Commitment to communities
Gippsland PHN recognises that these reforms will help PHNs better align services with local needs, reduce fragmentation across the care continuum, and strengthen collaboration with primary health care professionals and other service providers, the Gippsland Local Health Service Network, the Victorian Department of Health.
“These improvements will support PHNs to deliver more responsive, integrated and equitable care across priority areas such as mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, aged care, and population health, which are particularly important for regional communities like Gippsland” Ms Proposch said.
Looking ahead
Gippsland PHN will continue to work constructively with the Department, sector partners and commissioned service providers as the Government considers the recommendations and develops its implementation approach.
At this stage, there are no changes to Gippsland PHN operations or commissioned services. Further updates will be provided as implementation planning progresses.
