New $2.3 million community-led program, Clarence Health Access, to deliver improved primary health care across the Clarence Valley

Healthy North Coast PHN today announced the receipt of $2.3 Million in Australian Government funding to improve access and coordination of primary health care services in the Clarence Valley, with a focus on Grafton, Maclean and surrounding areas.

Funding has been provided for one year through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s General Practice Incentive Fund (GPIF) to support the development and implementation of solutions to local primary care access challenges.

Clarence Health Access is being implemented as a collaborative project with the Northern NSW Local Health District, Bulgarr Ngaru Medicare Aboriginal Corporation and the Clarence Valley Council to help improve the sustainability of primary health care services, strengthening local healthcare capacity and reducing pressure on both general practice and hospital services.

Community consultation undertaken in early 2026 identified several health-related issues facing the Clarence Valley, including an ageing population, chronic and complex conditions and Aboriginal health needs. Challenges seeing a GP in a timely manner, transport costs due to care not being available locally, and emergency department presentations were also identified.

The Clarence Valley had NSW’s 7th highest age-standardised rate of 393 lower urgency care emergency department presentations per 1,000 people in 2024-2025¹. Lower urgency emergency department presentations are used as a proxy measure of access to primary health care because some patients presenting in these categories may be better managed elsewhere in the health system. The North Coast ranks as the 3rd highest region for use of low urgency emergency department presentations nationally.

The Clarence Valley has fewer GPs, nurses and allied health professionals than both the NSW and national averages. In addition, more than one in four local GPs are aged over 65, around one-and-a-half times the state and national average, highlighting the need to strengthen and grow the local healthcare workforce.

¹ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2026), Use of emergency departments for lower urgency care 2017–18 to 2024–25. 

• Backing the local healthcare workforce through incentives and support for GPs, GP registrars, international medical graduates and graduate nurses to build a sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals in the Clarence Valley.
• Adapting and scaling proven models of care for local communities, supporting initiatives such as rural urgent care, chronic disease prevention and nurse-led services that have demonstrated success elsewhere and can be tailored to improve access and outcomes across the Clarence Valley.
• Improving navigation and coordination across the health system, through dedicated GP Liaison and Community Connector roles that help patients, clinicians and services access the right care more efficiently and reduce barriers to care.
• Strengthening local partnerships and community-led solutions, bringing together general practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, councils, pharmacies, allied health providers and hospitals to improve access to care closer to home.

Initial investment will prioritise workforce and system-support initiatives, including approximately $400,000 for medical and nursing workforce attraction and retention activities, and around $450,000 for GP Liaison and Community Connector roles that will support patients, practices and health services across the Clarence Valley.

Healthy North Coast will also commission general practices and the Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation to establish new service models and better meet existing and future patient demand, with the aim of making services sustainable through Medicare in the future after the funding ceases.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said this project was needed to build the long-term sustainability of primary health care in the Clarence Valley.

“Through one year of funded activities, Clarence Health Access will spearhead initiatives that will positively impact the long-term sustainability of primary health care for many years to come,” said Ms Wheeler.

“By supporting general practice, strengthening the local workforce, improving care navigation for patients and expanding proven local models of care, we’re building on existing services so that we can deliver the right care, in the right place at the right time for the community.”

Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health Emma McBride said through this initiative, Clarence Valley residents will have better access to healthcare and benefit from stronger, more sustainable health services across the region. 

“We know delivering healthcare in regional communities comes with unique challenges, which is why the Albanese Labor Government is investing in innovative ways to improve access to care closer to home,” said Ms McBride.

“The Clarence Valley initiative is one of 17 projects being delivered across the country to improve access to primary care in regional areas. It forms part of the Albanese Labor Government’s steadfast commitment to strengthening Medicare and making sure all Australians can access affordable healthcare, wherever they live.”

To support the Clarence Health Access objectives, two GP Liaison Officers will be appointed and work directly with participating local general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and community pharmacies in Grafton and Maclean. 

A community connector role will also be established to encourage greater community awareness of the services that exist and how to contact them. This includes 1800 Medicare, Medicare Mental Health lines and headspace Grafton, plus making it easier to access existing local Aboriginal health services, clinics, and community programs. 

Chief Executive of Northern NSW Local Health District Tracey Maisey welcomed the additional focus on connecting people with the healthcare they need in the community, which will help divert people with non-urgent conditions away from emergency departments at Grafton Base Hospital and Maclean District Hospital.  

“Our hospitals are busy places with a dedicated workforce. When patients can see their GP for less urgent care needs, it frees up our clinicians to attend to those with more acute healthcare needs at our hospitals. 

“We are committed to strengthening our partnership with Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network. By working together, we will be able to better support the healthcare needs of the Clarence community.” 

“The funding is wonderful news for our community, and the resulting investment in services will help strengthen access for patients,” Ochre Health Grafton Practice Manager, Carol Pachos said.

“Challenges in regard to timely access for primary health care has been a huge issue across the Valley for our community members. Ochre Health Grafton very much looks forward to this funding providing initiatives and solutions to meet such challenges and strengthen community access to health services.”

Clarence Health Access will be delivered by Healthy North Coast over the next 12-months, with GPIF funding supporting the project to implement a range of primary health care access programs, aimed at strengthening, stabilising and improving long term access to primary health care services across the Clarence Valley.

Media contact:
Andy Roberts
aroberts@hnc.org.au
0448 000 486