Corporate Archives

06 December 2024

SWSPHN has welcomed Michelle Cutler as our newest Board Member.

Michelle has extensive experience in governance, legal issues management, organisational and data strategy, and community engagement.

With past CEO roles in the health, legal and social services sectors, she brings a practical and impact-focused approach to community-based service delivery and stakeholder engagement.

Michelle is a former finance lawyer and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and currently acts as an advisor to social purpose organisations, where she helps boards and CEOs enhance their impact and deliver on their strategic goals.

Her work encompasses advising organisations on governance, regulatory and compliance issues, data and financial management issues, stakeholder engagement as well as funding.

As the immediate past National CEO of Community Legal Centres Australia and previously the National General Manager of OzHarvest, Michelle has experience in ensuring the delivery of critical community-based services across Australia, including to some of our most diverse and economically and socially disadvantaged people and communities.

She brings strong experience in working closely and collaboratively with stakeholders, including members, peak industry bodies, government, universities and corporate entities to ensure alignment of strategic aims, service delivery, funding requirements and to deliver positive impact for communities.

Currently, she serves as Chair of the Board of Shaun Parker and Company, a contemporary dance company known for its diversity and social advocacy and was previously on the board of a community housing provider supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence, and Give a Smile, an initiative providing free orthodontic care to children on public dental waiting lists.

She is passionate about working collaboratively with local organisations for the benefit of their communities, empower individuals with knowledge and resources and using wide ranging consultation to advocate for better community services for those who need them.

28 November 2024

South Western Sydney PHN will close at 4.30pm Tuesday, 24 December 2024 and re-open 8.30am Thursday, 2 January 2025 for the holidays.

Mental Health Intake will be unavailable from 4.30pm on Tuesday, 24 December 2024 and re-open 8.30am Thursday, 2 January 2025. Last referrals are 20 December to allow for processing.

On behalf of the board, executive and staff, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday.

Accessing healthcare during the holidays

Finding a GP

Many practices put a notice on their voicemail, website or social media channels advising of recommended contacts to access if your usual GP is not available during the holiday period. Alternatively, visit healthdirect and use their service finder to locate a GP open near you.
healthdirect

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are open through December and January if you or a family member needs urgent medical care.

Urgent care centres are free and provide medical care from a highly trained doctor or nurse in a GP setting when your regular GP is not available.

Urgent care provides urgent medical care for things like minor fractures, sprains, minor infections, respiratory illnesses, mild burns, severe stomach pains, or urinary tract infections.

For more information visit https://swsphn.com.au/what-we-do/urgent-care/

National mental health 24/7 helplines

Lifeline
Ph: 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service

Ph: 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue Support Service
Ph: 1300 224 636

Kids Helpline
Ph: 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia
Ph: 1300 789 978

Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) NSW
Ph: 1800 250 015

Family Drug Support
Ph: 1300 368 186

GambleAware
Ph: 1800 858 858

Head to Health
Ph: 1800 595 212

Available 8.30am – 5pm weekdays (except public holidays).

For face-to-face mental health support, visit:
Liverpool Medicare Mental Health Centre
203 Northumberland Street, Liverpool
Open from 1pm to 9.30pm (Monday, Wednesday-Sunday) and 1pm to 5pm (Tuesday). Including public holidays.

06 November 2024

Women’s health matters – the GP conference highlighted this theme at Rydges Hotel in Campbelltown on Sunday, November 3.

Presented by South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN), the conference attracted 79 GPs from across the region. All were keen to hear the latest updates in women’s health and take part in lively question and answer sessions.

The role of GPs in supporting women’s health

GPs play a significant role in women’s health. Women’s health related matters are the fifth most reported reason for visits to general practice.

Women experience different health outcomes and can present with health conditions differently to men. They also experience family, sexual and domestic violence at a significantly higher rate.

Given these factors it is important for GPs to recognise the signs and symptoms of many different health conditions. They must understand treatment options and referral pathways available. GPs are also the first contact for many women planning to have children, or after birth, and these periods can be vital for preventing negative health outcomes.

Topics covered

A range of guest speakers covered women’s health topics at the one-day conference. These included managing pre-pregnancy for women with diabetes, postnatal physiotherapy guidelines, breast cancer survivorship, stroke in women, and menopause services.

SWSPHN’s Kathryn Dovey said dividing the day into different subject streams gave the GPs a chance to concentrate on what interested them most.

“There was variation in the streams with different topics proving popular, but the number one choice out of all the options was the talk about menopause,” Ms Dovey said.

Positive feedback and high engagement

“Some GPs commented that they struggled to choose a talk because they were all equally interesting and they wished they had been able to attend all of the sessions.”

Ms. Dovey said attendees warmly received the guest speakers, who represented a wide range of respected professions within their specialties.

“There was a lot of engagement and interest in the opening plenary which was on endometriosis and pelvic pain as well as on the closing one which was about family, sexual and domestic violence,” she said.

“Questions were asked throughout presentations, and the GPs were very engaged, happy to participate in the Menti quizzes and discussions. Those present appeared to really enjoy the day. There was a lot of positive energy and comments around how great it was, only with a desire to have more days like this.”

Explore more upcoming events by clicking here for details.

28 October 2024

If you are passionate about improving the health of local residents, please express your interest in joining the South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

The CAC is a broad mix of community representatives who reflect the local community profile and key target groups. They provide a community perspective on primary healthcare in South Western Sydney.

CAC members are committed and informed people who are able to converse on the health issues impacting the local community.

CAC members are focused on helping to achieve SWSPHN’s goals, in particular the goal of informing and empowering the local community to make better and more informed health decisions.

The Community Advisory Committee meets bi-monthly on a Friday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. All consumer and community representatives on SWSPHN committees are reimbursed for their time. The Community Advisory Committee reports to the Board.

Please submit your interest by completing the form below by close of business, Friday, 29 November 2024.

04 September 2024

Christine Carriage brings experience and passion to her new role on the SWSPHN Board.

SWSPHN has welcomed Christine Carriage as our newest Board Member.

Christine has taken up the position of appointed Non-Executive Board Director, and brings to the role extensive experience in, and a passion for, supporting culturally appropriate care for Indigenous communities.

Christine is an Aboriginal woman and Traditional Owner of Gunai/Kurnai and Yuin heritage whose leadership roles have always emphasised cultural safety, integrity, and incorporating traditional knowledge and practices into healthcare delivery.

She also has an in-depth understanding of the healthcare needs of the Indigenous community in South Western Sydney.

Christine’s experience includes:

South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Board where she gained a comprehensive understanding of healthcare governance, policy development and strategic planning within a local health district
Chair of the Aboriginal Health Board Committee where she led a committee comprising community members, LHD and PHN representatives to advocate for Aboriginal health initiatives and implement strategies to address health disparities
Employment with the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association where she provided culturally-centred research, guided strategic direction for improving Indigenous health outcomes and fostered strategic partnerships to develop a culturally safe healthcare system

Christine also currently serves on the Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service Board.

11 July 2024

Value for money and access to quality healthcare were the subjects of discussion when SWSPHN CEO, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, joined other health sector advocates at a luncheon hosted by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue in Parramatta on Wednesday, 10 July.

Representatives from Greater Western Sydney’s local health districts, primary health networks, private hospitals and other community representatives joined Federal Health Minister Mark Butler to discuss the Federal Government’s solutions to improve access, affordability and availability of healthcare services across the region.

A particular focus of discussion was the critical role played by primary healthcare centred around general practice, and the need to better integrate it with both hospital and aged care.

Mr Butler also discussed the success, and continued roll-out, of its Urgent Care Clinics, which are helping to reduce the pressure on public hospital emergency departments.

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue was established in 2015 to shine a light on key issues in the region, spark debate and nurture a national conversation about the Greater West in order to better shape it for the future.

The non-profit regional think tank aims to connect the right people, influence progress and effect positive social and economic change.

Greater Western Sydney has one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in the nation.

As of the 2021 census 41 per cent of Greater Western Sydney residents were born overseas, the top countries being India, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Iraq and Lebanon.

Almost half (46 per cent) of the region’s population speak a language other than English.

Around three per cent identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.

CAPTION: Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue CEO Adam Leto (from left), SWSPHN CEO Dr Keith McDonald, NBMPHN CEO Lizz Reay, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler and WentWest CEO Andrew Newton at the healthcare luncheon held in Parramatta.

15 May 2024

South Western Sydney residents will benefit from a boost in funding for additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and a network of new Medicare Mental Health Centres – two of the standout commitments from last night’s Federal Budget.

In handing down the government’s third budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said overall spending on health and aged care in 2024-25 would be $146.1 billion, including investments to strengthen Medicare ($2.8 billion), deliver cheaper medicines ($4.3 billion) and invest in a fit and healthy Australia ($1.3 billion).

The government committed $227 million in last night’s budget to increase the number of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics by 29 to 87, enabling more patients to receive fully-bulk billed urgent care from GPs or nurses in more locations.

A $361 million boost over four years to the range of free mental health services was also announced, including funding for 61 walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres, building on the established Head to Health network. The centres will provide free, walk-in access to a psychologist or psychiatrist for adults with complex and high mental health needs.

This investment includes funding Primary Health Networks to work in partnership with general practice to provide mental health nurses and other allied health workers, for free wraparound care and support to patients with complex needs, in between GP and specialist appointments.

South Western Sydney PHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said the bolstering of access to bulk-billed services both through Urgent Care Clinics and new mental health measures was welcome at a time when the cost of living was impacting access to healthcare.

Dr McDonald said the Australia Bureau of Statistics found the proportion of people who reported delaying or not going to a GP due to the cost grew from 7 per cent 2022-23 compared to 3.5 per cent in 2021-22.

“South Western Sydney was lucky enough to benefit from the opening of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) at Campbelltown Medical and Dental last December,” he said.

“The UCC has made it easier for local residents to access free, high quality care from highly trained GPs and nurses, while freeing up emergency departments to focus on life threatening emergencies,’’ he said.

“We’re looking forward to future announcements about the expansion of the network to additional sites across our region.”

Other announcements of note in last night’s budget include:

$91.1 million to boost the supply of healthcare in areas of shortage, including Primary Health Networks supporting health services at risk of closing.
$882.2 million to ensure older people get the medical support they need. This includes funding to upskill the residential aged care workforce and provide virtual care services, and deliver complex care for older people outside of the hospital.
From 1 August 2024, people in residential aged care will be more likely to receive quality and continuous care from a GP, with GPs and practices eligible to receive quarterly incentive payments, on top of Medicare rebates, to manage the health of their MyMedicare registered residents.
$1.4 billion to upgrade technology systems and digital infrastructure across the aged care sector in preparation for the new Aged Care Act.
$38.8 million for people aged 45 to 49 to join already eligible 50 to 74-year-olds in screening for bowel cancer by requesting a free test kit.
$598.9 million for the continuation of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program to enable vaccinations to prevent severe COVID-19 disease.
$588.5 million over eight years for a national low intensity digital mental health service, which is free of charge and free of need for referral.
$35.9 million over four years to extend terminating mental health measures, to enhance the delivery of mental health and suicide prevention services and to provide greater funding certainty for service providers. $21 million of this will fund the PHN Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention (TRISP) for 2024-25.
Indexation on Medicare Benefits Schedule rebates is expected to deliver almost $900 million in additional benefits in 2024-25. This is on top of around $940 million in additional Medicare benefits already delivered in 2023-24.
Students in nursing, midwifery and social work will benefit from the establishment of a Commonwealth Prac Payment. This will support them while they undertake mandatory placements required for higher education and vocational education and training qualifications. Eligible students will be able to access $319.50 per week during their clinical and professional placement periods.

20 March 2024

Find out about our 2024 Corporate Charity

The votes are in and staff have chosen Bears of Hope as this year’s recipients of SWSPHN’s Corporate Charity fundraising activities throughout the year.

Bears of Hope provides support and care for families who experience the loss of their baby during pregnancy, birth or infancy.

The not-for-profit organisation is managed by a dedicated team of bereaved parents, offering counselling, grief workshops, grief wellness groups and other resources.

Bears of Hope’s underlying belief is that:

“No parent should feel alone in their grief.”

“You have lost a precious little life, and you may need to lean on others to cope with the heartbreak and the grief. Our hope is that we can embrace you with a network of care and support so you don’t have to grieve in silence.”

Bears of Hope’s Support Services Coordinator, Kelly Merchant, joined SWSPHN’s March staff meeting to talk about her organisation’s work and the loss which moved her to seek out Bears of Hope.

Why is the work of Bears of Hope important?

Kelly said studies had shown grieving families felt safer and less isolated if they knew there were people to support them.

“That starts for us in the hospital,” she said. “We supply support packages to be passed on to families before they leave their baby, to give parents a little knowledge about our services and to make them feel supported from the very beginning of their loss.

“Within those packs there’s literature, a journal and information about our supports. These packs are sometimes left unopened for month. It’s all about choice. It’s all about when families feel ready.”

Kelly said Bears of Hope was started by – and is still led by – two women who had lost their own children and felt there were no services out there for them, and were isolated in their own loss.

“They found each other, and it started with the idea of going into a hospital and donating a bear to provide parents with the comfort of knowing that they’re not alone,” she said. “From there, we’ve grown into a nationwide organisation which provides counselling, workshops and information.”

Kelly, a registered clinical counsellor, joined Bears of Hope after experiencing her own losses – that of her nephew who passed away suddenly in 2000 and the full-term stillbirth of her second child in 2007.

“I came across Bears of Hope at their annual benefit ball and was drawn to the commitment they had to supporting parents,” she said.

“Our overall goal is to have an impact on parents’ grieving and healing by reducing the loneliness, isolation and anxiety.

“We like to think we can empower parents with information and support choices which meet their needs. That’s really important. Grief is such an out-of-control experience, something that’s not familiar to a lot of people, we want them to be able to feel that it doesn’t have control over them.”

What supports does Bears of Hope offer?

Kelly said through Bears of Hope, it was most often families who donated a bear to another family experiencing loss, in honour of the baby they were remembering.

But, she said, the bears were just one way Bears of Hope acknowledged, comforted and guided families through their loss.

“Cuddle Cots are a really amazing invention which we provide to hospitals to keep a baby cooler so parents can spend more time with them and have them in their room with them for longer,” Kelly said.

“Our approach to supporting parents isn’t about removing or curing someone’s pain. It’s about what we can do to help support them and to be able to give them a voice and a safe space to be able to talk about their child in a way that every parent is entitled to.”

Other supports include:

a support line, 1300 11 HOPE – grief counsellors available to listen with compassion and understanding
grief workshops – a national program of healing workshops on surviving grief and learning how to live through it
grief wellness groups – parent-led informal gatherings of bereaved parents who are seeking support or wishing to support others
awareness and fundraising campaigns – like Beards of Hope and Choosing Hope Walks – and participation in activities – like the Bowral Classic and Sydney City2Surf
online resources for health professionals – with therapeutic tips, brochures with resources for families and referral pathways

Kelly thanked SWSPHN staff for their support, saying Bears of Hope had a small, but “mighty” and hard-working team which continued to provide support to families at no cost through donations from larger organisations like ours.

Learn more about Bears of Hope

Visit our Go Fund Me page to donate

06 March 2024

South Western Sydney PHN welcomes the release of the report and recommendations of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) into the Effectiveness of the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (DoHAC) Performance Management of Primary Health Networks.

The report, released last week, highlighted eight recommendations for ensuring compliance with grant requirements, for the improvement of performance reporting to DoHAC, improved performance measures for the PHN program, IT systems for monitoring and reporting, data assurance, and evaluation by DoHAC into the PHN delivery model.

Seven recommendations outlined in the report were accepted by DoHAC, one was agreed to in principle.

SWSPHN CEO, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said he welcomed the report and looked forward to more robust and transparent systems being implemented to support the reporting and evaluation of the work PHN’s do to improve the health of local residents and enhance and connect care to meet local health needs.

“The ANAO report was not an evaluation on the PHN delivery model or the effectiveness of PHNs, it was a report into the Department’s management of the PHN program as a whole,’’ Dr McDonald said.

“As all of you who work in local general practices know, SWSPHN is committed to continuous improvement in primary care and in our own organisation.

“We look forward to adhering to improved performance measures from DoHAC to show how we serve our communities, and the opportunity to better showcase the quality work we do and the value we add to the national health system.”

As a regional organisation, SWSPHN has a deep understanding of our community’s primary healthcare needs and can drive reform, integration and equitable access across the health and social care system.

As regional commissioners, we reduce service fragmentation and address unmet needs by working with our stakeholders to develop innovative models of care to address local needs.

“Our whole team is looking forward to working with the Department to implement the recommendations outlined,” Dr McDonald said.

14 November 2023

SWSPHN’s Clinical Council is seeking interest from a Practice Nurse (PN) currently practicing within the region to nominate as a possible representative on this forum.

When selecting representatives for the Clinical Council consideration is given to:

Regional distribution
Gender balance
Cultural diversity

The Clinical Council is an advisory committee that reports to the Board of the SWSPHN. It reports on clinical issues to influence SWSPHN Board decisions with regards to the unique health needs of the communities within this region. The Clinical Council also works in partnership with the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) and in tandem with the SWSPHN Community Advisory Committee.

A term of office on the Clinical Council for the PN representative is reviewed every two (2) years, with an option of one (1) renewal (i.e. a four (4) year maximum term).

The Clinical Council meets for two (2) hours bimonthly or more frequently if required. Meetings are hosted at the SWSPHN Campbelltown offices, with the option for virtual participation.
As a member of the SWSPHN Clinical Council, representatives are remunerated a standard rate for their participation.

SWSPHN Clinical Council Terms of Reference

Thank you for taking the time to consider nominating as a representative to be part of the SWSPHN Clinical Council. If you wish to express interest or have any questions, please contact Executive Assistant Melissa McIntyre at melissa.mcintyre@swsphn.com.au.

Closing date is COB Thursday, 23 November 2023.

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Topic: Corporate