SWSPHN Reflects on a Year of Progress in Allied Health
30 Oct 2026
In its final The Common Ground newsletter for the year, SWSPHN's allied health team reflected on the initiatives introduced to support local providers and improve collaboration across the region.
Building Stronger Connections Across Allied Health
SWSPHN launched The Common Ground newsletter in 2026 to give allied health professionals access to local updates, professional development opportunities and information about the primary care sector.
The organisation also introduced its Spotlight on Allied Health series, featuring local professionals and their contributions to community healthcare.
Its allied health team visited providers across Fairfield, including speech pathologists, exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists and psychologists. These visits helped identify challenges in working with general practice.
For the first time, allied health professionals were also invited to join SWSPHN's Clinical Council and contribute to regional healthcare advice and decisions.
Other initiatives included a Practice Noticeboard for sharing consulting room and employment opportunities in general practices. The team also gathered feedback through Local Health Forums and surveys covering children's health and older people's access to health and aged care.
Common Ground CPD Sessions Focus on Practical Learning
Throughout 2026, the Common Ground continuing professional development (CPD) program brought GPs, nurses and allied health professionals together to discuss care for people living with chronic pain, obesity, falls, mental health conditions, ADHD and diabetes.
The sessions covered practical topics, including referral pathways, obesity and falls management, complex mental health needs, ADHD and type 2 diabetes.
Following feedback from participants, SWSPHN changed the session format to include fewer presentations and more discussion, case studies and opportunities for questions.
A new speaker pack was also developed to help presenters make sessions more interactive and practical.
More Allied Health Services Added Under Medicare
Changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) in 2026 have created further opportunities for eligible patients to access allied health services.
From 1 March 2026, stuttering, speech sound disorders and cleft lip and/or palate were added to the list of eligible disabilities under the MBS M10 item group. Eligible patients under 25 can access up to eight allied health assessment services.
These changes followed updates introduced in July 2025, which expanded the services accredited practising dietitians and accredited exercise physiologists can provide to people with complex neurodevelopmental disorders and eligible disabilities. These professionals can also take part in relevant case conferences.
The MBS Chronic Condition Management Services Review is also examining possible changes to referred allied health services. Areas under review include the number and length of appointments, group services and the allied health professions eligible to provide care.
A targeted consultation on the first stage of draft recommendations closed in March 2026. Further public consultation is expected as the review continues.
Allied health professionals interested in future consultations can contact the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing at MRACAlliedHealth@health.gov.au.
Staying Connected
SWSPHN has encouraged allied health professionals to continue sharing their feedback and ideas to help guide future activities.
Providers can contact the allied health team at alliedhealth@swsphn.com.au
The organisation also encourages professionals to share the newsletter with colleagues and invite them to subscribe through its website.
SWSPHN Reflects on a Year of Progress in Allied Health
Source: South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) – The Common Ground, 30 October 2026.