Author: George Liacos
Better Impact: Murray PHN
Murray Primary Health Network (PHN) is one of 31 health networks located across the country. Geographically, Murray PHN services communities across North West, Central and North East Victoria; where the population characteristics match the uniqueness of the landscape they reside on.
With a third of indigenous Victorians living in the catchment area, increasing refugee and aging populations, the health needs of population are diverse, requiring the PHN to be responsive to the needs of these unique groups to help prevent the exacerbation of health inequalities in the area. As the population grows, there are increase pressures on the primary health systems, further challenged by Commonwealth changes to both legislation and budgets.
Spark had the privilege of working with Murray PHN to create their 2023 – 2025 strategic plan, and with 18 months remaining on their plan, decided it was time to review their plan and start to think about the strategic direction they’d like to go in with their next plan.
Since the creation of their strategy, the PHN landscape has shifted, with Government focusing on the Strengthening Medicare initiative, and release of a new National PHN Strategy. This required Murray PHN to pivot their operations to align with national primary health reform and triggered the Board and Executive to conduct a review of their plan to date.
In a one-day workshop with the Board and members of the Executive Leadership team, we were able to collaboratively refine Murray PHN’s strategic direction.
One of the workshop’s core activities was to examine the initiatives that were delayed or at risk. Each of these was scrutinized to determine whether they should be removed, added, tweaked, re-scoped, or reprioritised to best serve the PHN’s mission. The team carefully evaluated the impact of each initiative on the community, considering both the current strategic context and emerging health priorities.
The outcome was a refreshed strategic plan that combined existing initiatives with new priorities, ensuring they remained aligned with the PHN’s vision while offering the flexibility to adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
The updated plan underscores their commitment to reducing health inequalities and enhancing access to quality care for all, ensuring they remain responsive to the needs of their communities as they evolve.
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