Western Victoria Primary Health Network (PHN) was established on 1 July 2015 and is responsible for increasing the efficiency, effectiveness and coordination of health services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes. 

The Western Victoria PHN services a population of 576,790 and has regional centres in Horsham, Ballarat, Geelong and Warrnambool.

Our strategic priorities include;

REGIONAL HEALTH PLANNING
• Undertake regional needs assessment to understand the primary health system priorities for rural and regional communities.
• Engage with general practice, Aboriginal health services, private allied health, community organisations and hospitals to maximise knowledge of workforce, service gaps and system issues.
• Engage with communities to ensure local perspectives are incorporated into program design, delivery and evaluation.

COMMISSIONING
• Use regional needs assessment priorities to inform the development of responsive and innovative workforce and service models.
• Implement transparent and robust contract and procurement processes.
• Adopt evidence based best practice approaches.
• Monitor and evaluate services and models.

GP AND PRIMARY CARE DEVELOPMENT
• Leverage the expertise of general practice to inform primary care development.
• Collaborate with general practice in implementing quality improvement activities.
• Collate and analyse data to inform service system improvement.
• Create opportunities for the primary care system to partner with general practice to improve health outcomes and reduce preventable hospital presentations.

HEALTH SYSTEM INTEGRATION
• Utilise cross sector collaboration and coordination.
• Implement digital health solutions to improve continuity of care and clinical decision making.
• Enhance capability and capacity of general practice through the co-design of clinical pathways.
• Partner with communities and health professionals

Health Care

Health Data

Nursing & Residential Care

Western Victoria Primary Health Network

Craig Wilding

Ross Taylor

Julie McDonald

Janelle Jakowenko Gaicd

Michael Struth

Matt Dixon

The Management team at Western Victoria Primary Health Network oversees strategic planning and operations to enhance health service delivery across the region. Responsibilities involve conducting regional health needs assessments, engaging with local health service providers, guiding the commissioning process, and fostering GP and primary care development. The team also works on health system integration through cross-sector collaboration, digital health initiatives, and clinical pathway co-design. They ensure quality, risk management, and continuous improvement in service provision based on evidence-based best practices and data analytics.

Management

Health and Clinical Services

Management

About

Team members

Other teams at Western Victoria Primary Health Network

Health and Clinical Services