Earlier this month, WNSW PHN brought together service providers from across Far West and Western NSW for our annual Service Provider Forum. The face-to-face event provided an important opportunity to share updates, explore solutions to shared challenges, and strengthen connections across the region.
More than 60 attendees participated in the day, which began with a warm Welcome to Country from Aunty Sandra Riley. CEO Brad Porter then opened with an organisational update, followed by sessions on working with Aboriginal communities, Donna Stanley, risk, governance and data, Nicole Maher, and digital health, Brenton Jones. Attendees also heard from Jessica Steele about the upcoming WNSW PHN Primary Health Excellence Awards.
Insights from service providers were a highlight of the program, with Mission Australia presenting on The Way Back Service and Orange City Council sharing updates on My Care Future. These sessions provided an opportunity for organisations to showcase their work and contribute to shared learning across the sector.
Attendees also received insights from WNSW PHN’s recently conducted Health Needs Assessments, including focus areas on homelessness and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, supporting a broader understanding of emerging needs across the region.
The day concluded with an interactive session facilitated by Elise Quigley, which explored how WNSW PHN can continue to support providers to achieve positive outcomes in their communities. The session prompted discussion on current challenges across the sector, as well as opportunities to build on what is working well. It encouraged providers to consider how they can respond to these challenges, strengthen successful approaches, and identify where support may be needed from WNSW PHN and other services across the region.
WNSW PHN CEO Brad Porter said the forum is a key opportunity to connect with service providers and strengthen collaboration across the region.
“The Service Provider Forum is an important opportunity for our staff to connect with providers and learn from each other. Supporting a strong, sustainable primary health system is a strategic priority for WNSW PHN, and forums like this help us share knowledge, better understand the needs of our region, and work together to develop solutions that deliver lasting benefits for our communities.”
