Our Councils
Sydney North Health Network (SNHN) is one of 31 Primary Health Networks which have been established by the Australian Government with the key objectives of:
- Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes; and
- Improving coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
Clinical Council
The Sydney North Clinical Council will assist the Sydney North Health Network (SNHN) to develop local strategies to improve the operation of the healthcare system for people in the Sydney North region. The Council will focus on facilitating effective, person-centred primary healthcare to improve the overall health of our population and reduce avoidable hospital presentations.
The Clinical Council will provide guidance to the SNHN Board on clinical issues relevant to primary care to:
- Support local primary care providers to improve peoples’ outcomes and experience with the healthcare system;
- Evaluate and identify inefficiencies and optimise the use of existing services and resources; and
- Purchase or co-commission new services and propose strategies for redesign or reinvestment.
It will work in partnership via the appropriate stakeholder engagement to achieve these aims.
Membership
All members of the Clinical Council practice within or work with the community within the SNHN catchment.
The Sydney North Clinical Council includes 12 members with experience working within one or more of the following disciplines:
- General Practice
- Allied Health
- Primary Care Nursing
- NSLHD Clinical Council
- Specialist Medical Care
- Aboriginal Health
- Private Health Industry
- Private Hospitals
- Board Members – the Council has two SNHN Board members, one of which Chairs the Council and is required to report to the SNHN Board.
Responsibilities of the Clinical Council
- Contribute to the SNHN Population Needs Assessment process and provide input to assist in determining local health priorities.
- Contribute to the development of a regional health strategy.
- Develop local strategies to address National Health Priorities.
- Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and areas for improvement within the current primary/acute healthcare interface and advise on local strategies to improve integrated care
- Oversee the development of local clinical pathways.
- Advise on the data sharing requirements between primary care and other sectors to improve the quality, efficiency and continuity of care.
- Advise on the development of innovative services and/or implementation of new models of care.
- Support the development of approaches to build capacity, capability, quality and safety in primary care.
- Advise on strategies to maintain engagement with local primary care providers.
- Identify and advise on opportunities for relevant research partnerships.
Community Council
The SNHN Community Council represent their community with life experience from the following areas – Aged Care, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, Youth, Aboriginal, Disability, Law, Community and Family Health, Chronic Disease, Workforce Health, Mental Health, Carers, Governance, and Homelessness.
Comprising of 10 members representing diverse communities, health priorities and perspectives, the Community Council has provided consultation and feedback throughout 2017/18 on:
- The SNHN Activity Plan
- HealthPathways
- Digital self-management tools
- Mental Health Services
- After Hours Services
- Local Coordinated Networks
- SNAPO (Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, Physical Activity and Obesity) Community
- Campaigns and Events
- PeopleBank
- Health Literacy Projects
The Community Council is a highly engaged, inspired group of people committed to ensuring that appropriate healthcare services are provided where needed to achieve the best outcomes for people and their families’ in the region.
Community Council members represent numerous community groups, raise public concerns in response to primary care, are healthcare advocates and champions, and provide vital information and resources back into the local community. The Community Council give the broader Northern Sydney community an important voice in local healthcare.
Your Voice
The Sydney North Health Network (SNHN) Community Council will give the community an important voice in local healthcare. Individual members of the community will work together, and in tandem with SNHN Clinical Council (GP and Health Professional led), to achieve better health outcomes for the people of Northern Sydney.
Together the two Councils will help inform the SNHN Board and Management on local health needs, priorities and gaps, and to help shape local services and programs.
The Community Council will focus on facilitating effective, person-centred primary healthcare to improve the overall health of our population and to reduce avoidable hospital presentations.