About us
Last updated November 20, 2023
The Primary Health Network (PHN) is a not for profit organisation funded by the Commonwealth government to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the primary health care system.
Following changes introduced by the Commonwealth government in 2014 the PHN replaced the Central Coast, Hunter and New England Medicare Locals.
The PHN is not a direct provider of services, instead it manages a range of service agreements with organisations to deliver primary health care programs in areas of identified need.
Our Vision
Healthy People and Healthy Communities
Our Purpose
Increase equity of access to primary care services.
Our Values
Respect – Innovation – Accountability – Integrity – Cooperation – Recognition
Our Principles
We will deliver better health outcomes that are efficient, effective, equitable and sustainable by:
- having a whole of system focus that puts people and communities first
- being responsive to the diversity of, and differences in, our communities and address health inequalities
- helping people understand and care for their own health, and supporting them as partners in a better health system
- supporting and being guided by GPs and other clinicians as leaders in a better health system
- aiming for the best use of health resources, with locally relevant services that are high quality and cost-effective collaborating with others to enable and coordinate timely and appropriate health care, so that people can stay well in their communities
What we do
Our Primary Health Network works with health care providers across the Hunter, New England and Central Coast to deliver a range of primary health care services that meet identified needs and close service gaps for people living in our region.
We analyse and integrate information and data to support health planning and health service delivery in our region.
Our aims are to:
- Identify & address health needs in our communities
- Support and develop improved health care delivery in the primary care sector
- Develop and implement improved care pathways and models of care
- Commission health services to communities to close service gaps - we are not a service provider
Learn more about how we plan for better health care.
Learn more about how we commission services.
Our Region
Our Primary Health Network region is vast in geographical terms and diverse in terms of its communities. Covering 130, 000 square kilometres, it stretches from the QLD border in the north to Gosford in the south, and west past Narrabri and Gunnedah, and incorporates 23 Local Government Areas.
The region has a population of 1.2 million people who live in small rural and remote rural villages, in regional towns and in densely populated urban centres.
