As the new CEO
of WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), I am excited to engage with national,
state, and local stakeholders to advance our vision of better health, together,
building a more connected and equitable healthcare system for all Western
Australians.
In the ten
years since inception, WAPHA has grown to become the largest and, arguably, one
of the most innovative Primary Health Network (PHN) operators in Australia. Our
state-wide model has been acknowledged by the Australian Government as an
optimal PHN model for its efficiency and effectiveness. This recognition is not
merely testament to our past achievements but, more importantly, a signal of
the pivotal role PHNs will play in shaping the future of our health
system.
PHNs are
recognised by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and
Ageing for their contribution to the health care system, especially in
contextualising, localising, and delivering on national integrated primary
health care reforms.
Serving a vast
state like WA, with its diverse regions, comes with its own set of
complexities. As the operator of WA’s three PHNs, WAPHA has earned its place in
the health system as a trusted partner, delivering on our PHN commitments and
collaborating with other agencies to improve access to primary health care and
shift the dial on health equity.
Building on
that trust, my focus will be on ensuring our work delivers the greatest value
and impact.
Innovation and
reform
Fostering
innovation will remain a key priority and we will continue to leverage models
of care and technology as essential tools in achieving our goals, both at a
state and national level in the digital and data programs we lead on behalf of
the PHN group.
The Australian
Government’s transformative Strengthening Medicare agenda, and the critical
role PHNs play in implementing these reforms, will shape our future.
This will see a
change in many activities WAPHA commissions to better support people in
under-served communities and locations, working with general practice, allied
health professionals, Health Service Providers and our commissioned health
services to develop innovative and integrated models of care.
Collaboration
and coordination
Collaboration
between WAPHA and key federal and state health agencies will be critical to
maximising the impact of our respective resources, thus the importance of the
current tripartite WA Collaborative Commissioning Partnership cannot be
overstated.
Formalised
shared commitments such as this will support the delivery of a high-quality,
equitable health system that continuously improves consumer and provider
experiences, population health outcomes, and health system cost
efficiencies.
As CEO, I am
committed to championing the role of primary health care with a ‘one health
system’ mindset. This includes general practice and allied health as pivotal to
the ongoing strength and resilience of our WA health system and
communities.
This commitment
is about leveraging the impact of a robust primary health care sector and
ensuring under-served communities receive the care they need closer to home and
avoid unnecessary hospitalisations.
On leadership
Leadership
brings with it the responsibility to support and develop our people, creating
an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
I am committed
to working in pursuit of our organisational goals and delivering on the requirements
and ambition of the Australian Government. We will achieve this by ensuring our
team is aligned with our vision, mission and values, and by equipping them with
the knowledge, tools and resources they need to succeed.
We are tasked
with understanding, contextualising and solving complex issues, and it is only
through the combined efforts of our team and external partners that we can
navigate these challenges effectively. No single person or entity can do it
alone.
Looking
ahead
I am energised
by the opportunity to contribute to a health system that is responsive to the
needs and aspirations of the people we serve. Together, with trusted partners,
we will continue to innovate, collaborate and champion the cause of primary
health care. Our collective efforts will pave the way for a healthier future
for those Western Australians currently experiencing persistent and acute
health inequities.
Bernadette Kenny
Chief Executive Officer
