What are Primary Health Networks?

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are intended to be working directly with general practitioners, other primary health care providers, secondary care providers, hospitals and the broader community to:

• improve access to primary care services for patients
• ensure better coordination of care with local hospitals

There are six PHNs in Victoria. PHNs are keen to engage directly with health care consumers in their catchment areas, so check out their websites for information about local initiatives and training for health consumers.

• Eastern Melbourne PHN
• Gippsland PHN
• Murray PHN
• North Western Melbourne PHN
• South Eastern Melbourne PHN
• Western Victoria PHN

The Federal Government has set six key priority areas for targeted work in mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population health, health workforce, eHealth and aged care.

A key task for the PHNs is to establish Community Advisory Committees, which will ensure all patients and local communities can provide feedback to, and have direct input into the PHN.

To learn more about these Networks, visit the Federal Government's Department of Health website