Chair Report

It is ten years since the establishment of primary health networks in Australia.   In this, CESPHN’s 10th Annual Report it is evident that so much has been achieved.  Our organisation continues to evolve, positioning us strongly for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Reviews on PHNs, primary care and Medicare remain front and centre, and rightly so — much is expected of PHNs. Listening and learning from our providers and communities is central to meeting those expectations. The past year has been one of success, as we have worked in partnership to deliver on our strategic plan with a specific focus on meeting the needs of our community and the necessary support for our providers. 

The launch of our new Strategic Plan (2025 – 2027) will focus efforts on achieving our vision of “Healthy and Thriving communities”. Our purpose is to “enable high quality accessible care”. We will strive to deliver results by: 

This report highlights our numerous achievements. In 2025 our staff led Australia’s first PHN Data and Digital Showcase with all 31 PHNs in attendance. Our GP Registrar/Supervisor forums continue to be very well received, whilst the rollout of our innovation grants to general practice and allied health are designed to promote innovation among primary care providers. In addition, the release of our Practice Nurse Strategy, Digital Health Strategy, and Practice Manager strategy, are aimed to promote continuity of care and ensure that the multidisciplinary nature of primary care is well supported. In collaboration with the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness, we also ran a national conference to develop partnerships and strategies, to support people experiencing homelessness. We also took the opportunity to commission new innovative services and mature existing programs. 

A significant part of our future plans, is to ensure we advocate, plan and implement strategies to address the overwhelming progress in Digital Health. The NSW Single Digital Patient Record, AI and interoperability, enable significant opportunities measured against the risk that these initiatives bypass their practical implementation in primary care. We are very cognisant of ensuring our voice, the voice of primary care providers and community are at the forefront, as our Digital Health plans evolve.   

Our successes are realised by the enthusiasm and dedication of our people. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr Michael Wright, who finished his Board tenure with us at our last AGM. In his 7 years as Chair of the Board, his leadership, counsel and direction were invaluable. Our loss is the RACGP gain. In addition, I wish to thank Sarah Reid and Tobi Wilson who resigned as directors within the last year and a special thankyou to Dr Gary Nicholls whose tenure with us ceases at this AGM.    

Many thanks to our members, community, health professionals and other partners who contribute to our success. Your contributions are invaluable. 

To the Board, thank-you for your insights, commitment and expertise you bring to the table.   

Finally, I would like to express my immense gratitude to our CEO, Nathalie Hansen, and her Executive team for their exceptional leadership. I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Central and Eastern Sydney PHN for their hard work and the outstanding results achieved this year.