About Healthy North Coast
Who we are
Healthy North Coast works with communities and primary health professionals to improve health outcomes and create a more connected, equitable and sustainable health system. We are the Primary Health Network (PHN) for the North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2012.
Our vision is : healthy people in North Coast communities.
Our role in the health system
Healthy North Coast plays an important role in strengthening primary health care across our region.
We work across the health system to identify local needs through comprehensive Health Needs Assessments, invest in services where they are needed most, support the primary care workforce and help connect people with the care they need, closer to home.
Think of us as the ‘local eyes and ears’ of the Australian Government when it comes to primary health care. We translate national priorities into local action, ensuring health care addresses the unique needs of our community – the North Coast.
By bringing together health professionals, hospitals, community organisations, government agencies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and local communities, we help improve access, coordination and health outcomes across our region.
If you would like to hear more about what we do, sign up to one of our newsletters.
What is a Primary Health Network?
Primary Health Networks (PHNs) were established by the Australian Government in 2015.
The PHN model replaced Medicare Locals (established in 2011, with 61 regions), which replaced Divisions of General Practice (established in 1992, with 120 divisions).
PHNs are responsible for driving local innovation to meet specific local health needs and support the consistent local delivery of national and co-commissioned programs and services.
PHNs deliver three core functions, known as ‘the 3Cs’:
- Coordinate and integrate local health care services in collaboration with Local Health Districts to improve quality of care, people’s experience and efficient use of resources.
- Commission primary care and mental health services to address population health needs and gaps in service delivery and to improve access and equity
- Capacity build and provide practice support to primary care and mental health providers to support quality care delivery.
The size of the PHN Program is around $2 billion which delivers over 2,700 activities on behalf of the Australian Government.
An integrated health system
Health care works best when services work together.
Demographic shifts in the population, including an ageing population and a rising burden of preventable disease, underscore the need for better integrated health care.
Healthy North Coast supports a more integrated health system by strengthening connections between general practice, hospitals, allied health, pharmacies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, aged care providers, mental health services and community organisations.
Our focus is on creating smoother healthcare journeys for patients and reducing barriers to accessing care.
Our commissioning approach
Healthy North Coast uses a ‘commissioning’ approach to improve health outcomes for our communities.
Commissioning means understanding local health needs, planning services, investing in the right solutions and evaluating outcomes to ensure programs deliver value and impact. We don’t provide health services ourselves. We procure healthcare providers to deliver services.
As a commissioner, this allows us to respond to emerging challenges and ensure funding is directed where it can make the greatest difference.
Our culture and values
Healthy North Coast’s culture is shaped by our shared purpose of supporting healthy people in North Coast communities.
Our values are:
- Community first and always
- Achieving more together
- Nurturing innovation
Together, we call these our CAN-DO values. These values guide how we work together, build strong partnerships and create better health outcomes for our region.
We value collaboration, innovation, accountability and continuous improvement. We work in partnership with communities and health professionals and strive to create an inclusive, respectful and supportive workplace culture.
Governance and key documents
Board and governance
Healthy North Coast is governed by an independent Board responsible for setting the organisation’s strategic direction, overseeing performance and ensuring strong corporate and clinical governance practices.
Good governance is embedded throughout the organisation and is exercised by our Members, Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and workforce. Together, these groups support effective decision –making, accountability and stewardship of public resources to deliver better health outcomes for our communities.
Our skills-based Board sets the culture and standards for good governance and has overarching responsibility for the organisation’s governance framework and performance. Consistent with best practice governance standards, the Board is supported by 3 standing committees that provide additional oversight and advice across key areas of the organisation.
Our governance arrangements help ensure transparency, accountability and responsiveness to the communities we serve and our funding partners.
Strategic plan
Our Strategic Plan outlines our long-term priorities and the outcomes we are working towards for our communities and health system partners.
It guides our decisions, investments and partnerships across the region.
Key documents
We are committed to transparency and accountability.
Access key organisational documents including:
- Annual reports
- Corporate publications
- Policies and frameworks
- Performance and evaluation reports
- Financial statements
- Strategic and planning documents
Our organisation
Our people
Our team brings together expertise from health, commissioning, communications, digital health, data and analytics, community engagement and corporate services.
Together, we work to improve the health and wellbeing of people across the North Coast.
Our partnerships
Improving health outcomes requires collaboration across the entire health system.
We work alongside general practice teams, nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, hospitals, Local Health Districts, government agencies, community organisations and local communities to strengthen the health system and improve health outcomes across our region.
Our partnerships are built on trust, shared goals and long-term relationships. To support meaningful collaboration and ensure our partnerships continue to evolve and deliver value for our communities, we establish formal partnership agreements and Memoranda of Understanding where appropriate.
Key partnerships include our North Coast Aboriginal Health Partnership, our Memorandum of Understanding with the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW Local Health Districts, our hosting agreement with the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), and our shared commitment to improving mental health outcomes through the Joint Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
Our region
The North Coast of New South Wales is one of Australia’s most diverse and fastest growing regions, stretching from Tweed Heads in the north to Dunbogan in the south, and west to the Great Dividing Range.
The Traditional Custodians of the lands are the Birpai, Bundjalung, Dunghutti, Githabul, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl Nations.
‘North Coast’ comprises both Northern NSW and the northern parts of the Mid North Coast.
Our communities include coastal cities, regional centres, rural towns and remote communities, each with unique health strengths and challenges.
Understanding these differences helps us design services that meet local needs.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Healthy North Coast is committed to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and supporting meaningful reconciliation.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan outlines the actions we are taking to strengthen relationships, increase opportunities and contribute to improved health equity outcomes across our region.
Join our team
We offer the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference in our region.
Explore current opportunities, learn about our workplace culture and discover how you can help shape healthier communities across the North Coast.
News and media
Latest news and updates
Stay up to date with the latest news, media releases, programs, events, health initiatives and stories from across Healthy North Coast and our communities.
Featured stories highlight the impact of our work and the partnerships helping improve health outcomes across the region.
Dementia in practice
Dr Rachel Jones is a Lismore-based geriatrician. Listen to her interview with Dementia Training Australia.
Read
Monika Wheeler interview with Health Services Daily
Monika Wheeler, CEO Healthy North Coast, was interviewed by Health Services Daily for their 'Spotlight on PHNs' series.
Read
Bringing ADHD care closer to home for Northern NSW families
Dr James Hodges – Head of Paediatrics at Grafton Base Hospital.
ReadContact
Office locations
We have offices across the region to support local communities and health professionals.
Find office locations, contact details and opening hours for our teams across the North Coast.
Contact us
Whether you are a community member, health professional, service provider or organisation partner, we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch with our team for general enquiries, program information, partnership opportunities or support.