Engagement
40
members of voices4health
24
Community Council members, including 7 community representatives
25
Clinical Council members
288
responses to Stakeholder Engagement Survey
CESPHN engages with our key stakeholders in formal and structured ways through Community and Clinical Councils, Member Chairs meetings, Clinical Leaders Network and the external representatives programme.
Each year we run a Strategy Workshop with stakeholders to give input to CESPHN’s work and we run and host the Primary Health Awards to recognise the work being undertaken in primary health.
We evaluate our engagement by conducting an annual survey with stakeholders.
The current Community Engagement Strategy 2022-2025 concludes this year. The outputs of the Strategy have been reviewed by the Board in 2025. CESPHN will create a new Community Engagement Strategy by consulting with our stakeholders.
Committees and Councils
Clinical and Community Council
The Community and Clinical Councils were consulted on the Needs Assessment, Strategic Plan and Population Health Strategy. During the expressions of interest process for the 2025 intake, we ensured a diverse range of backgrounds and skillsets. The Community Council now includes 7 community representatives, up from 2 in the previous year.
Community engagement
The voices4health network has increased to 40 members. 34 community members were involved in consultation for the Integrated Mental Health Hubs in 2025.
CESPHN shared information about its services at community events, including the Community Health Navigator Forum (2025), the Thrive Together Forum (2024) and the Healthy Minds & Wellbeing Expo (2024).
Strategy Workshop
On 24 July 2024, CESPHN held its annual strategy workshop covering the needs assessment priorities and CESPHN Strategic Plan. 49 stakeholders from across the CESPHN region attended.
The consultation session with stakeholders directly contributed to the direction of the needs assessment and the strategic goals of the organisation.
Feedback after the event was positive, with many appreciating the opportunity to engage with CESPHN, contribute to key strategic documents and network with other organisations.
Primary Health Awards 2024
CESPHN hosted the 2024 Primary Health Awards in August to recognise the work of general practice, allied health and community organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to primary health care in the region in the past year.
The winners included a physiotherapy business who works closely with the Aboriginal community in Redfern; a community service linking cancer survivors with medical students to share stories and humanise care; a GP practice who implemented a Victim Services Support program; and a psychology service who launched a 10-week online group program supporting adults with ADHD.
Gambling harm
We implemented a program of work with funding received from the Office for Responsible Gambling around gambling harm, including a Multicultural Health Navigator service and community and GP education sessions.
The accredited CPD event for GPs about identifying gambling harm among clients was attended by 26 GPs and has had 266 views on the CESPHN YouTube channel. CESPHN hosted a community seminar in August with 21 attendees learning about gambling harm and the psychology of addiction.
The Health Navigator service launched in March 2025 across 5 language groups. There have been 30 service users in the first 2 months.
Stakeholder Engagement Survey
The 2024 Stakeholder Engagement Survey received 288 responses from GP practices, allied health professionals, community services and other stakeholders. The survey response identified that the main way that GPs engaged with us is through CPD events and practice support. CESPHN’s communication, CPD program and practice support were all evaluated highly.
Multicultural Focus Groups
As part of the regional needs assessment, CESPHN commissioned Cultural Perspectives to hold 11 in-language focus groups to better understand the health needs and behaviours of culturally and linguistically diverse people in the region.
Sessions were held in Arabic, Mandarin, Nepali, Urdu, Bengali, Mongolian (women only), and a session in English for people from an Indian background.
125 individuals were engaged and findings showed how people from these communities often:
- Use of pharmacists as a first port-of-call
- Return to their country of origin for health matters
- Faced stigma around mental health
- Struggled with the costs of healthcare
- Have a lack of trust in the system