Our region is home to over 27,680 Aboriginal people on the lands of the Yuin, Dharawal, Ngunnawal/Ngambri and Ngarigo Nations. Aboriginal people represent 4.3% of our local population. We work with local partners to achieve equality in health outcomes for Aboriginal people in the region.

We commission targeted services for Aboriginal people and work with mainstream primary care to develop and improve meaningful cultural safety, as we continue our journey of reconciliation.

Our region has a high percentage of adults who consume alcohol at levels posing a long-term risk to health. We are guided by the National Drug Strategy 2017-2026 and the National Ice Action Strategy, with a focus on limiting methamphetamine use in the community. 

We work with our commissioned partners, local service providers and communities to prevent alcohol and other drug harm, and better support people with alcohol and other drug-related issues.

We assist primary health care providers to understand and make meaningful use of digital health.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the uptake of telehealth among providers and consumers. 97% of GPs provide consultations via telephone or video compared to 15% before the pandemic. 

There are high rates of mental and behavioural disorders, and psychological distress in our region, especially amongst Aboriginal people and people living in rural areas. An increased, targeted and sustained mental healthcare and suicide prevention response to natural disasters and the pandemic will be required for many years to come.

Our joint Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan 2018-2023 outlines a vision to create one mental health system - planned, delivered and monitored together – to provide better outcomes for people experiencing mental health issues or with mental illness.

Our approach to prevention focuses on promoting health and preventing illness through early detection and treatment. This can make a real difference to the long-term health outcomes for local residents across South Eastern NSW. 

Our vision is that residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in South Eastern NSW have the supports they need to provide safe and high quality care in a supportive environment.

Here you will find resources and information that will assist your facility to optimise staff experience and resident health outcomes. 

One in five residents in South Eastern NSW is aged over 65 years. We have developed healthy ageing initiatives to support the health and wellbeing of older Australians.

Our vision is that older people in South Eastern NSW have the supports they need to live longer and live well.

Chronic conditions are the leading cause of illness, premature mortality, and health system utilisation in the South Eastern NSW region.

We have an important role in facilitating, linking, and co-designing activities with health and social care partners to improve the prevention and management of chronic conditions.

The COVID-19 pandemic and increased incidence of influenza has created additional challenges for primary health care professionals.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019-2020 bushfires, PHNs took on new responsibilities. These ranged from supporting communities in their recovery from drought and bushfire trauma, to helping coordinate the Commonwealth Government's response to the pandemic.

We are committed to improving health experiences and outcomes for older people, and those receiving palliative and end of life care. 

Social determinants such as access to housing, education and employment, social supports, as well as postcode, strongly influence health. While directly addressing these factors may be outside of the scope of our PHN, there are primary care-based approaches that can alleviate the impact of the social determinants of health.

Social prescribing is a practical way to address the social determinants of health from within the primary care system. It enables health professionals to refer consumers to local community services and supports to improve their health and wellbeing. We have begun a trial of social prescribing that enables providers to refer consumers to a range of existing community services to overcome social isolation and barriers to accessing health services, and ultimately reduce inequity in our society.

With one of NSWs largest rural and regional populations, we understand the challenge for many communities is the ability to access an appropriate and sustainable primary health care workforce.

By working together with local health professionals, we are committed to investigating and participating in opportunities that will strengthen workforce development and planning based on localised health needs and service gaps.