We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands across which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection – both physical and spiritual – to land, sea and sky.
Message from our Board Chair
As Chair of the Board of COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network (PHN), I'm delighted to welcome you to our 2024-25 Annual Review. This review marks 10 years of collaboration to improve health and wellbeing across our region.
This milestone celebrates our achievements, strong partnerships, innovative thinking, and unwavering dedication that has shaped our journey over the last decade. We are proud of the role COORDINARE has played in transforming how health care is designed and delivered across South Eastern NSW.
Over the past year, we've strengthened our commitment to fostering healthier communities and delivering on our Strategic Directions for 2024-2027. This review highlights the progress we’ve made and celebrates the collective efforts of our team, service providers, local communities, and health partners. Thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of our journey.
It's a privilege to work with the Board, CEO Prudence Buist, and the Executive team to drive this important work. I hope you enjoy learning more about our key achievements in the video below.
- Julie White, Independent Board Chair
About us
COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN is one of 31 PHNs nationally and 10 in NSW, established under the Australian Government's PHN Program.
Our region spans metropolitan and rural communities, coastlines and highlands, with over 150 languages spoken and more than 33,180 Aboriginal people. We work with primary and acute care services to support the health of over 664,250 people.
To improve the health of communities in South Eastern NSW.
Ensuring access to health care while empowering individuals to take charge of their own health.
Our three objectives are accessible care, systemised care, and an activated community.
We commission services from our stakeholders, rather than providing services directly. Commissioning starts with understanding our communities’ needs, identifying opportunities, then gauging the impact of our initiatives on the community.
Our region
Through strong local connections, we’re able to support better health care and wellbeing for one of the largest rural and regional populations in NSW.
- 15.6% projected population growth between 2021-2031.
- 5.2% people identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
- 9.8% of the total Aboriginal population in NSW.
- 10.4% of our population are non-English speaking at home.
Ten years of impact in South Eastern NSW
Over the past decade, we've celebrated milestones, achievements, and defining moments that have shaped our journey and strengthened our impact. The timeline below captures some of the highlights from the past 10 years:
2015
- Commenced as the South Eastern NSW PHN from 1 July.
- Established Board, two GP-led Clinical Councils, Community Advisory Committee, and 12 GP Clusters.
- Enrolled 85+ general practices into our Sentinel Practices Data Sourcing Project (SPDS).
- Established HealthPathways programs across the region.
- Transitioned former Medicare Local clinical services to commissioned arrangements.
2016
- Conducted our Baseline Needs Assessment to identify local priority health issues.
- Piloted the Geriatrician in the Practice outreach service to practices in the Shoalhaven.
- Introduced an innovative online Consumer Health Panel.
- Rolled out a new chronic pain Initiative for underserved regions.
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative selected as a trial site for the Black Dog Institute’s LifeSpan program.
2017
- Commenced commissioning alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, bringing new services to Southern NSW.
- Established a Patient Centred Medical Home (PCMH) Innovation Project with general practices.
- Welcomed 130+ attendees at our international PCMH symposium.
- Developed a localised Stepped Care model for commissioning mental health services.
- Launched the Next Steps suicide prevention aftercare service.
2018
- Launched the ‘Care2QPR’ suicide prevention campaign.
- Completed first Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan in NSW with LHDs.
- Strengthened alliances with both LHDs by developing local Integrated Care Strategies.
- Developed and implemented a needs-based model of care for people in their last year of life.
- Commissioned headspace Bega.
- Supported the expansion of My Health Record.
2019
- Commissioned new psychosocial support services across the region.
- Established two new mobile AOD services.
- Trialled an innovative Pitch Night to support local health projects.
- Supported community-led mental health projects in drought affected areas.
- Supported communities through the first impacts of the Black Summer fires.
2020
- Connected with local government to enable community-led responses to Black Summer fires.
- Assisted practices in navigating COVID-19 – including PPE, infection control and telehealth.
- Targeted support for bushfire and pandemic-related distress.
- Enabled 250-fold increase in telehealth / virtual care through digital health initiatives.
- Commissioned a trial of non-dispensing pharmacists in general practices.
2021
- Supported COVID-19 vaccination rollout, with focus on vulnerable and Aboriginal communities.
- Launched a new and co-designed social prescribing service.
- Released Australia’s first Mental Health Lived Experience (Peer) Work Framework.
- Established two mental health services for older people, including aged care residents.
- Appointed inaugural Aboriginal Board member.
- Commissioned headspace Yass.
2022
- Expanded social prescribing service region-wide.
- Commissioned co-designed care coordination for people with complex chronic conditions.
- Established the Care Finder service aged care navigation for vulnerable older people.
- Gained observer status on the Illawarra South Coast Regional Emergency Management Committee.
- Led the Koori Co-design project for cultural safety in general practices.
2023
- Distributed 199 grants to general practices through Government’s Strengthening Medicare Initiative.
- Commissioned Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic.
- Launched Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaborative.
- Gained observer status on the South East Regional Emergency Management Committee.
- Commissioned Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) in Batemans Bay and Corrimal, and the Dapto Urgent Care Service (UCS).
2024
- Commissioned the Queanbeyan UCC and Goulburn UCS.
- Commissioned new adult mental health services across the region.
- Commissioned headspace Shellharbour, headspace Kiama, and outpost locations in Narooma and Eden.
- Implemented the LinkMyCare COPD program across the region in partnership with LHDs.
- Established the Goulburn and Region Suicide Prevention Collaborative.
2025
- Commissioned the Moruya Medicare Mental Health Centre.
- Commissioned an innovative after hours model to support Residential Aged Care Homes.
- Partnered with Walkabout Barber to provide a safe space for Aboriginal people to talk about mental health.
- Commissioned an at-home detox and recovery program.
- Celebrated 10 years of fostering healthier communities with our partners across the region.
Our priorities
Our three objectives and key priorities as outlined in our Strategic Directions are accessible care, systemised care, and an activated community. These strategic priorities guide our work and ensure that we remain responsive to the evolving needs of our communities.
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Improving access to services
We partner with communities, general practice, and providers to identify local needs, set priorities, and deliver government initiatives informed by population health data and stakeholder input.
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Improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people
We are committed to genuine partnerships with First Nations peoples, working together to advance health, wellbeing, and equity across Aboriginal communities.
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Supporting our primary care workforce
We support and work closely with general practice and the broader primary care sector to strengthen services, build workforce capacity, and ensure a sustainable health system across our region.
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Strengthening primary care quality and integration
We work collaboratively with health and community service providers to strengthen connections between primary care and the broader health system.
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Engaging with consumers
We partner with communities and consumers to co-design services that empower people to manage their wellbeing and improve health equity across South Eastern NSW.
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Embedding good governance
Our diverse Board guides our strategic direction with strong governance and cross-sector expertise, ensuring safe, high-quality care tailored to the needs of our region.
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Valuing our people and professional capacity
Our people are the driving force behind our partnerships, innovation and impact. Their adaptability, professionalism and deep community connection shape the success of our resilient and forward-thinking organisation.
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