National audit report on management of PHN program welcomed
06 Mar 2024
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.