South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) has echoed the Primary Health Network (PHN) Cooperative’s favourable response to recommendations from an independent review of the PHN program business model and mental health flexible funding stream.
The review was conducted by Boston Consulting Group between November 2024 and June this year, to evaluate the PHN program to see what works, what doesn’t and how it can be improved.
The final report of the review, released on 18 December 2025, confirms the critical role PHNs play and includes recommendations to strengthen the PHN network and provide more consistent services across the country. Read the final report
Key recommendations include streamlined funding processes, minimum governance and engagement standards, and mental health flexible funding stream reforms.
In a statement, the PHN Cooperative said the recommended improvements to the program would enable PHNs to better align services with local needs, reduce fragmentation across the care continuum and strengthen collaboration with healthcare providers.
PHN Cooperative spokesperson Matt Jones described the review as a “pivotal moment”.
“By simplifying processes and reinforcing trust, we can unlock more time, resources and energy for what matters most – supporting healthier communities across Australia,” he said. Read the full statement
SWSPHN Acting Chief Executive Officer Amy Prince agreed, welcoming the review’s findings.
Ms Prince said the review reflected the positive impact of PHNs on the health of local communities, noting that “strong and widespread support for the PHN model” was cited in the review.
“For more than a decade, SWSPHN has been providing professional development opportunities for our primary care workforce, forging partnerships to ensure locally responsive care, and working with our community to understand their healthcare needs and tailor services to meet those needs,” she said.
“This review recognises the value of the work we’ve undertaken so far, and we’re optimistic the recommended improvements to the program will make PHNs even more effective at meeting the unique, and sometimes complex health needs of our individual regions.”