Annual Report 2024/25

Practice Support

Interactions on various types of practice support topics included:

>3450

engagement interactions with general practices.

860

accreditation interactions.

228

engagement interactions with practice nurses.

The Practice Support and Development team continues to provide high-quality, tailored engagement to the 552 general practices across the region. This trusted frontline support enables practices to navigate a complex and evolving healthcare environment, strengthening their ability to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred care. 

Support is offered across operational and clinical areas, including: 

  • Accreditation and preparation for QPA and AGPAL reviews.
  • Continuous Quality Improvement, including data-driven PIP QI support.
  • Practice nurse engagement and clinical development.
  • Guidance on incentive programs such as the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP).
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives.
  • Onboarding and support for GP registrars and supervisors.
  • Business continuity, digital health, and workforce sustainability.
  • The implementation of major Commonwealth-funded initiatives.

Enabling reform through strategic engagement

As Strengthening Medicare reforms roll out, CESPHN has scaled its efforts to support general practices through major changes. This includes the implementation of MyMedicare, the GP Aged Care Incentive Program (GPACI), and the Chronic Conditions Management (CCM) Framework. A cross-functional team of MyMedicare Support Officers provided targeted support across general practice, aged care, and digital health. 

To date, 368 practices have registered for MyMedicare and 129 for GPACI. CESPHN continues to contribute to national advisory groups for MyMedicare, CCM, and Better Access, ensuring local stakeholders remain connected to policy developments. 

Accreditation and quality standards

CESPHN supported 393 practices with over 860 accreditation-related interactions this year. As one of the first PHNs to support the accreditation of non-traditional general practices, CESPHN has positioned itself as a leader in adapting to new standards under MyMedicare. Preparations are now underway for the transition to the RACGP 6th Edition Standards in early 2026. 

Practice Nursing and Workforce Strategy

CESPHN delivered 228 engagements with practice nurses, alongside clinical education in chronic disease, cardiology, kidney disease, and digital health. We also hosted three nurse networking events and supported scholarship placements to strengthen the workforce pipeline.  

With a 2.4% increase in the regional nursing workforce, CESPHN launched a Practice Nurse Workforce Strategy in October 2024. Co-designed with frontline staff, the strategy focuses on expanding clinical roles, leadership, and access to development opportunities. 

Aboriginal Health

The team conducted 33 follow-up visits to general practices following Cultural Awareness Training, providing opportunities for reflection, ongoing support, and strengthened links with local Aboriginal health services. 

Acknowledgement

Driving quality improvement

The team continues to support practices in achieving PIP QI goals through data-driven tools like Practice Progress Reports. Our participation in the National Improvement Network Collaborative (NINCo) supports national consistency in QI. Two CESPHN staff completed the NINCo Train the Trainer program, enhancing our internal capability. 

Workforce planning and succession

CESPHN submitted its fourth regional report to the GP Workforce Planning and Prioritisation Program in 2025. The report identified critical workforce pressures including GP retirements, training access, and practice amalgamations. In response, CESPHN continues to support registrar orientation, participate in RACGP foundation training, and host well-attended registrar networking events. 

Sector education and collaboration

The team facilitated education events for GPs, nurses, practice managers, and international medical students – often in collaboration with partners like the Benchmarque Group and St Vincent’s Complex Care Services.  

CESPHN continues to contribute to initiatives in aged care, cancer screening, Aboriginal health, mental health, and DFV. As a member of the St George Hospital Integrated Working Group, CESPHN supports improved hospital–primary care communication and co-delivers education such as the GP Grand Round and Practice Nurse Webinar Series. 

We will continue to align our support for general practices and allied health with our strategic frameworks, including the Workforce Strategy, Practice Nurse Strategy, Allied Health Strategy, and Quality Improvement Framework. Recognising the complexity of upcoming reforms in primary care our teams are well-prepared to provide responsive and effective support. 

“

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the practice support officer from CESPHN for her outstanding support and guidance throughout our practice accreditation process.

Her knowledge of the RACGP 5th edition standards, combined with her practical, solution-focused approach, was invaluable.”

Her responsiveness, professionalism, and encouragement helped us feel confident and well-prepared throughout the accreditation journey. Thanks to her support, we were able to meet the accreditation requirements with clarity and ease.”

Caringbah Family Practice
“

"The support that the practice support team have provided to our medical centre during our accreditation period was invaluable. The mock visit that she conducted helped alleviate our fears and reassured us about the process and our progress. She shared insights gathered by the practice support team and particular areas of strength and weaknesses that we needed to fix, as well as templates and checklists to help focus our efforts.

Furthermore as a general comment, the practice support team is lovely to deal with and usually available on the same day for assistance if not at the time of calling. We have called on their expertise in things from practice management to IT, financial opportunities and general practice improvement, reducing our unimmunised children list to 0 (okay, back up to 2 I think).”

Avoca Street Medical Centre