About Us

We will identify barriers to access by applying an evidence-based monitoring and evaluation approach to prioritise the commissioning of services in the areas of greatest need.

Progress: We completed our Needs Assessment 2019 – 2022, through extensive consultation (including a community survey) and research. This is informing our Activity Work Plans for the next three years, allowing us to commission the most effective and efficient services for Western Australians, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes.

We will address the priority health gaps and inequities identified by developing contextualised, person centred models of care.

Progress: We participated in the development of WA’s Healthy Weight Action Plan which will focus on early intervention and management of overweight and obesity in primary care. We also helped develop an 18-month GP Urgent Care Network Pilot to enhance the capacity of community-based GP clinics to care for patients with urgent but non–life-threatening medical conditions. Both initiatives will result in better outcomes for patients and primary care clinicians, with reduced cost to the health system.

We will commission services with a focus on quality and value-based outcomes.

Progress: For the first time, our funded service providers reported against our Outcomes Framework on a variety of required and co-designed indicators, including client satisfaction and health outcomes. This information will be used as a baseline to measure impact and help us to support our service providers to continuously improve their delivery of high quality, person centred care.

We will build sustainable relationships with clinicians, communities, providers and other stakeholders to improve coordination across the patient journey.

Progress: Leveraging our unique position as a trusted partner across the health system, WA Primary Health Alliance has played and continues to play a pivotal role in the State Government's Sustainable Health Review, with the final report released in April 2019, facilitating the involvement of primary care and ensuring it remains central to the Review’s implementation.

We developed the South West Health Professionals Network out of an identified need to improve educational and networking opportunities between health professionals.

A steering group of like-minded partner agencies oversees and guides the 220-member Network which brings health professionals together to collaborate and develop models of care, referral pathways, partnerships, service models and funding models.

An online platform provides a central hub where members can access education events, resources, local news and opportunities to network with other health professionals.

We will uplift the capacity and capability in the primary care environment to support the development of a skilled and sustainable workforce.

Progress: A focus this year was to embed new roles into general practice to create a more sustainable workforce and encourage team-based, patient-centred care. This included non-dispensing pharmacists, social workers and counsellors to support people with a range of chronic conditions.

Results included improved patient experience and knowledge of their medications, and freeing up GPs to see more patients.

We supported some of our Health Care Homes practices to develop a dashboard to improve patient referrals to allied health practitioners and demonstrate the breadth of their shared care planning.

We played a key role in shaping the model for the State Government's GP Urgent Care Network Pilot, bringing key stakeholders to the table to ensure the final model provided a level playing field for general practice.

Reflecting our place based and state-wide focus, we will implement a refined and robust operating model for WAPHA, including clearly defined roles and responsibilities, governance framework, improved processes, use of data and technology, and innovative culture.

Progress: In line with good corporate governance principals, we undertook an Independent Board Evaluation of the organisation’s governance procedures to ensure they were effective and in line with best practice. The review found our governance to be of a high standard and suggested some minor areas for improvement, all of which have been actioned.

We increased our computer network resilience at all seven regional sites, replacing equipment and upgrading internet connections using business NBN and 4G backup. This allows for uninterrupted support for our regional operations and increased performance for video conferencing.