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Message from our CEO

As we review the past year, we are excited to mark the first year in our five-year ‘Path to Impact’ strategy. This milestone highlights the solid foundation we’ve built and the meaningful strides we’ve made toward our long-term goals. 

Our vision remains clear: to enhance the health and wellbeing of our local communities, deliver consumer-centric healthcare across the region and work together to forge a more integrated healthcare system. 

This year, SEMPHN has embarked on a project to optimise our operating model, focusing on becoming more consumer-focused, innovative and outcomes-driven. This effort is integral to realising our vision and advancing our ‘Path to Impact.’ Our work has centred on understanding our key stakeholders, defining the value they seek from our services, and ensuring that each aspect of our operations contributes value.  I want to thank our stakeholders and our SEMPHN team for their contributions to providing input into what value we are able to provide. 

Quinn Pawson – SEMPHN's CEO
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At the 26 October 2023 Value-Based Health Care Congress, Brisbane with keynote speaker Dr Sally Lewis: "It's time to think about the cost of NOT doing value-based health care.."

I am continually inspired by the dedication of our people and stakeholders to realise this vision. Through our ongoing learning and collaboration with providers, consumers, and the community, we are supporting the creation of opportunities for the people of south east Melbourne to lead their healthiest lives. This year’s annual report theme, Evidence, Experience, and Empowerment, highlights the outstanding achievements of the SEMPHN team, health professionals and our partners and our commitment to Value-Based Health Care. 

Value-Based Health Care represents a transformative shift from merely treating conditions to truly understanding and addressing what matters most to individuals. It emphasises the equitable, sustainable, and transparent use of funding and health resources to achieve better outcomes and experiences for everyone.  It also promotes health equity and person-centred care through our strategic pillar of consumer-focused healthcare. 

I am continually inspired by the dedication of our people and stakeholders to realise this vision. Through our ongoing learning and collaboration with providers, consumers, and the community, we are supporting the creation of opportunities for the people of south east Melbourne to lead their healthiest lives. This year’s annual report theme, Evidence, Experience, and Empowerment, highlights the outstanding achievements of the SEMPHN team, health professionals and our partners and our commitment to Value-Based Health Care. 

Value-Based Health Care represents a transformative shift from merely treating conditions to truly understanding and addressing what matters most to individuals. It emphasises the equitable, sustainable, and transparent use of funding and health resources to achieve better outcomes and experiences for everyone.  It also promotes health equity and person-centred care through our strategic pillar of consumer-focused healthcare. 

Image description
At the 26 October 2023 Value-Based Health Care Congress, Brisbane with keynote speaker Dr Sally Lewis: "It's time to think about the cost of NOT doing value-based health care.."
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South eastern Melbourne is home to one of the most diverse catchments in Australia – and SEMPHN is fortunate to have a highly diverse workforce with staff from a vast range of cultural backgrounds. In March 2024 we celebrated cultural diversity on Harmony Day by hosting a potluck where staff were invited to contribute a dish from their culture to share with colleagues over a fun-filled lunch - it was a veritable feast!

A significant milestone in our early journey towards this model was hosting Dr Sally Lewis, National Clinical Director for Value-Based Health Care at NHS Wales, at our two November 2023 forums. These forums brought together Victorian and Tasmanian PHN Alliance partners and Health Service Partnership partners.  

Dr Lewis’ extensive experience and leadership provided invaluable insights and guidance on advancing this model in Australia. Her visit and the ensuing discussions have been pivotal in shaping our approach to implementing the model locally.  

As the current Chair of the Victorian and Tasmanian PHN Alliance, I am proud to have hosted these impactful forums and to continue our commitment to advancing this vital model.

Our work in assessing community needs through comprehensive health data analysis has led to improvements in data governance. Our Annual Health Needs Assessment reflects our commitment to making data-informed decisions that drive meaningful outcomes. Each year, it provides a foundation for planning and prioritising services. Key findings have led to initiatives including the new Care Coordination Support Service and the expanded Dementia Rehabilitation Program. These efforts aim to improve care for those with chronic conditions, dementia and mental ill-health, reflecting our dedication to addressing priority population needs. 

Image description
South eastern Melbourne is home to one of the most diverse catchments in Australia – and SEMPHN is fortunate to have a highly diverse workforce with staff from a vast range of cultural backgrounds. In March 2024 we celebrated cultural diversity on Harmony Day by hosting a potluck where staff were invited to contribute a dish from their culture to share with colleagues over a fun-filled lunch - it was a veritable feast!

A significant milestone in our early journey towards this model was hosting Dr Sally Lewis, National Clinical Director for Value-Based Health Care at NHS Wales, at our two November 2023 forums. These forums brought together Victorian and Tasmanian PHN Alliance partners and Health Service Partnership partners.  

Dr Lewis’ extensive experience and leadership provided invaluable insights and guidance on advancing this model in Australia. Her visit and the ensuing discussions have been pivotal in shaping our approach to implementing the model locally.  

As the current Chair of the Victorian and Tasmanian PHN Alliance, I am proud to have hosted these impactful forums and to continue our commitment to advancing this vital model.

Our work in assessing community needs through comprehensive health data analysis has led to improvements in data governance. Our Annual Health Needs Assessment reflects our commitment to making data-informed decisions that drive meaningful outcomes. Each year, it provides a foundation for planning and prioritising services. Key findings have led to initiatives including the new Care Coordination Support Service and the expanded Dementia Rehabilitation Program. These efforts aim to improve care for those with chronic conditions, dementia and mental ill-health, reflecting our dedication to addressing priority population needs. 

All of this work, of course, is lead by our executive, directors and our staff from the fields of data intelligence, human resources, health care, contract management, finance, communications, risk, business intelligence and population health, to name just a few.  I’d like to thank all of my colleagues across all levels of the organisation, from the Board to our teams on the ground.  You bring your best selves to work every day and our community benefits form your expertise and commitment.  Thank you for all you do. 

As we continue to implement our 2023-28 Strategy, 'Path to Impact,' I look forward to our ongoing partnerships and the continued opportunity to create an even healthier community in south east Melbourne. 

Thank you for your dedication and support. 

Quinn Pawson, SEMPHN CEO 

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