Message from our Chair
Reflecting on the first year of our Strategic Plan 2023-2028, I am proud to acknowledge the foundational progress we’ve made in aligning our operations with our vision for the future.
Innovation and system reform are a core strategic pillar, and I am particularly pleased to highlight our commitment to these areas. One of the major reforms this year was the introduction of MyMedicare, Australia’s new voluntary patient registration model. We have supported practices with registration, preparation and quality improvement activities, with outstanding take-up across our region.
While the Board and its subcommittees continue to focus on governance and risks associated with operating a health organisation, I’d like to highlight the hard work of the team at all levels in implementing activities which support our strategic pillar of Excellence and Sustainability. In November 2023, a cross-functional sprint team was established to ensure uncommitted funds went to service providers to support the community, sooner. This involved reviewing potential uses of funding, seeking out data sources to support need and making pragmatic decisions to service the need. Using this approach, the team reduced the total amount of uncommitted funds by around $14 million – a very impressive result – providing more services to the community and improving efficiency and process as a result.
Not resting on their laurels, the team has also been looking at our funding pipeline and helping us plan in a more integrated way. Additionally, they have also worked diligently on a new Operating Model, which I’m sure will start to deliver even better outcomes into the future.
I’d like to acknowledge the work of SEMPHN’s Clinical and Community Council which provided valuable insight and knowledge this year into our engagement with First Nations communities - including SEMPHN’s support for the Voice to Parliament and our position on the State Treaty.
To meet the needs of different and expanding populations, SEMPHN has sought to widen the range of advice we receive from different populations and stakeholders. We welcomed three new Clinical and Community Council members: Andrea Edwards, Kate Coomber and Jawid Sayed who will contribute their expertise and experience, alongside our eight existing members, to help SEMPHN better meet the healthcare needs of communities in south east Melbourne.
The Council also supported SEMPHN’s Reference Groups, a newer element of our advisory system - a Primary and Aged Care Group, and a Mental Health and Wellbeing Group. In line with our aim to drive and foster consumer-focused healthcare in the region, these groups include the voices of people with lived experience and professionals who work with local communities.
Our efforts in innovation and partnership were further recognised when the South East Metro Health Services Partnership (SEMHSP) was named Health Services Partnership of the Year at the Victorian Department of Health 2023 Healthcare Awards. This accolade celebrates the collaborative work of SEMPHN and our partners - Alfred Health, Monash Health, Peninsula Health, and Better Health Network - in advancing health services and patient care in south east Melbourne. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all SEMPHN team members, especially those in the Primary and Aged Care Service Innovation and Data, Evidence, and Impact (DEIS) teams, whose dedication and collegiality with our SEMHSP partners was instrumental in this achievement.
As we continue to progress, I hope you find this report as inspiring as I do. It reflects the collective efforts of health professionals, service providers, partners, community supporters and the SEMPHN workforce over the past year.
Thank you for your continued support as we strive to enhance the health and wellbeing of the south east Melbourne community.
– Sue Renkin, SEMPHN Chair
Not resting on their laurels, the team has also been looking at our funding pipeline and helping us plan in a more integrated way. Additionally, they have also worked diligently on a new Operating Model, which I’m sure will start to deliver even better outcomes into the future.
I’d like to acknowledge the work of SEMPHN’s Clinical and Community Council which provided valuable insight and knowledge this year into our engagement with First Nations communities - including SEMPHN’s support for the Voice to Parliament and our position on the State Treaty.
To meet the needs of different and expanding populations, SEMPHN has sought to widen the range of advice we receive from different populations and stakeholders. We welcomed three new Clinical and Community Council members: Andrea Edwards, Kate Coomber and Jawid Sayed who will contribute their expertise and experience, alongside our eight existing members, to help SEMPHN better meet the healthcare needs of communities in south east Melbourne.
The Council also supported SEMPHN’s Reference Groups, a newer element of our advisory system - a Primary and Aged Care Group, and a Mental Health and Wellbeing Group. In line with our aim to drive and foster consumer-focused healthcare in the region, these groups include the voices of people with lived experience and professionals who work with local communities.
Our efforts in innovation and partnership were further recognised when the South East Metro Health Services Partnership (SEMHSP) was named Health Services Partnership of the Year at the Victorian Department of Health 2023 Healthcare Awards. This accolade celebrates the collaborative work of SEMPHN and our partners - Alfred Health, Monash Health, Peninsula Health, and Better Health Network - in advancing health services and patient care in south east Melbourne. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all SEMPHN team members, especially those in the Primary and Aged Care Service Innovation and Data, Evidence, and Impact (DEIS) teams, whose dedication and collegiality with our SEMHSP partners was instrumental in this achievement.
As we continue to progress, I hope you find this report as inspiring as I do. It reflects the collective efforts of health professionals, service providers, partners, community supporters and the SEMPHN workforce over the past year.
Thank you for your continued support as we strive to enhance the health and wellbeing of the south east Melbourne community.
– Sue Renkin, SEMPHN Chair
Up next:
A 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.
South Eastern Melbourne PHN
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SEMPHN acknowledges the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies in which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge all First Nations peoples with whom we work. Sovereignty was never ceded!
We acknowledge and celebrate diversity in all its forms and recognise the contribution people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences make to a strong, healthy and resilient community. We welcome everyone in the community as part of the SEMPHN organisation.