Primary Health Networks (PHNs) were established 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.

The South Eastern Melbourne PHN catchment encompasses an area comprising 1.6 million people and stretches from St Kilda to Sorrento and as far east as Bunyip, including the major population hubs of Monash, Dandenong, Moorabbin, Caulfield, Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham.

From 1 July, 2016 PHNs adopted a commissioning approach to procuring medical and health care services which is based on an assessment of the health and wellbeing needs of the community. This work determines the priority areas and guides the scope of the commissioning process.

The South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) invites providers with capacity, capability and suitable experience to submit a proposal to deliver an innovative Care Coordination Support Service linking eligible patients from the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Frankston and Greater Dandenong, referred by General Practices (GPs) and Community Pharmacies, to appropriate clinical and non-clinical services.

The Care Coordination Support Service program will aim to manage the wellbeing of eligible people and thereby reduce low acuity presentations at Emergency Departments (EDs) and potentially preventable hospital admissions particularly during the After Hours period.

The Care Coordination Support Service provider will be required to work with General Practices, Community Pharmacies and potentially public hospitals in a two-phase approach:

• Phase 1) – Service delivery for referrals into the Care Coordination Support Service via GPs and Community Pharmacies and the development and implementation of a Pharmacy based After Hours awareness initiative (The participating GPs and Community Pharmacies will be financially incentivised for their participation in the program).
• Phase 2) – Service delivery for potential referral into the Care Coordination Support Service via nominated Hospital/s, in addition to successful referral elements of Phase 1. This phase will require initial co-designing as one of the funded activities during Phase 1 that will commence mid-2023. The further development and implementation of Phase 2 will be subject to the outcomes of Phase 1 and availability of funding.

The total amount of funding available is up to $2,000,000 (ex GST). This includes all funding inclusive of referral incentives, Pharmacy based After Hours Awareness initiative, brokerage costs, and cost of codesign activities for Phase 2.