WESTERN QUEENSLANDERS TO BENEFIT FROM GREATER CERTAINTY AND CONSISTENCY AFTER MAJOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE REVIEW
Western Queenslanders can look forward to greater consistency in the delivery of primary health care services after a major review of the business model that funds Primary Health Networks.
The Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) has welcomed the findings of the review which confirmed the critical role that PHNs play in commissioning locally responsive, high-quality primary health care.
The report went on to highlight the opportunities to strengthen governance, streamline funding and enhance performance measurement, all of which are important Strategic Priorities for the WQPHN.
The findings and recommendations of the Commonwealth’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Review of the PHN Business Model and Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream has recognised long held concerns in Western Queensland about the consistency of services and funding models.
One of the key recommendations of the Review is to address the short-term nature of funding agreements with the introduction of multi-year funding agreements across all PHN funded programs. This practice will assist in the provision of more consistent and sustainable models of care, allowing providers to engage staff in longer contracts and provide continuity of care, and address some of the workforce sustainability issues that providers have been experiencing in the WQPHN region.
“WQPHN is committed to paving our way towards improved health outcomes for all Western Queenslanders through a comprehensive, integrated primary health care system in collaboration with our stakeholders, partners and communities. The recommendations from this report will go a long way to making this happen,” WQPHN Board Chair Liz Fraser said.
The independent review has been welcomed by the PHN Collective which represents the 31 Primary Health Networks CEOs nationally.
“We in Western Queensland echo the sentiments of the PHN Collective as we have been advocating for change for some time, and we’re pleased to see this review aligns well with our Strategic Priorities which are already in place,” Liz Fraser said.
“Our goal has been, and always will be, to commission services in support of better health outcomes for Western Queenslanders, and we see this review as an endorsement of our current direction.”
The Review was conducted from November 2024 to June 2025 by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in collaboration with ConceptSix and is the first comprehensive analysis of the PHN business model since the inception of the Program in 2015.
Western Qld Primary Health Network (WQPHN) quick facts:
- commissions (or funds) health services in Western Queensland
- covers almost one million square kilometres of Queensland, 55% of the state’s total land area
- aligns health investment with demonstrated population health needs
- uses health intelligence data to orientate health services efficiently and effectively
- ensures the right primary health care is delivered, at the right time by the right provider
- advised by GPs and other health professionals and consumers
- one of 31 PHNs across Australia established and funded by the Commonwealth Government
Media Liaison - Paul Stone (WQPHN) M: 0414 326 848 E: paul@sticksandstonespr.com.au
