We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands across which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection – both physical and spiritual – to land, sea and sky.
Welcome message
As Chair of the Board and CEO of COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN, we are pleased to welcome you to our 2025-26 Annual Review. Guided by our Strategic Directions 2024-2027, we continued working with communities, health care providers and partners to strengthen primary health care, improve access to services, and respond to the unique needs of South Eastern NSW.
Throughout the year, we supported general practices through a period of significant structural change, helping providers navigate evolving national health reforms, including the expansion of the Urgent Care Clinic model and new government initiatives to strengthen access to bulk billing.
The achievements highlighted throughout this review demonstrate the power of collaboration, innovation and community partnership. Together, we have improved access to care, strengthened the health workforce, supported people experiencing mental ill health, and helped build a more connected and responsive health system for communities across South Eastern NSW.
We thank our staff, Board, partners and community members whose expertise, dedication and collaboration make this work possible. We invite you to explore the stories, outcomes and impact featured throughout this Annual Review and celebrate another year of progress towards healthier communities.
- Julie White, Independent Board Chair and Prudence Buist, COORDINARE Chief Executive Officer
About us
COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN is one of 31 PHNs nationally and 10 in NSW, established under the Australian Government's PHN Program.
Our region spans metropolitan and rural communities, coastlines and highlands, with over 150 languages spoken and more than 33,180 Aboriginal people. We work with primary and acute care services to support the health of 671,427 people.
To improve the health of communities in South Eastern NSW.
Ensuring access to health care while empowering individuals to take charge of their own health.
Our three objectives are accessible care, systemised care, and an activated community.
We commission services from our stakeholders, rather than providing services directly. Commissioning starts with understanding our communities’ needs, identifying opportunities, then gauging the impact of our initiatives on the community.
Our region
Through strong local connections, we’re able to support better health care and wellbeing for one of the largest rural and regional populations in NSW.
- 15.6% projected population growth between 2021-2031.
- 5.2% people identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
- 9.8% of the total Aboriginal population in NSW.
- 10.4% of our population are non-English speaking at home.
Year at a glance
Throughout 2025-26 we improved access to care, strengthened primary health care and brought partners together to address local health needs. These achievements reflect our impact across South Eastern NSW.
54423
patients accessed care through Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
346989
HealthPathways page views by local health professionals.
140
+providers and organisations partnered with.
133
workforce development and education activities engaged 1,608 primary care professionals.
300
+people helped shape the new Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Alcohol and Other Drugs Regional Plan.
Highlights of the year
July 2025
- Celebrated 10 years of improving health and wellbeing across the region as the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network.
- Announced new funding to support people with alcohol and other drug dependency.
Aug 2025
- Formed new partnership to improve cervical screening for Aboriginal women in Illawarra Shoalhaven.
- Opened Street Side Medics in Nowra bringing vital mobile health care to people in need.
Sep 2025
- Launched free Recognise and Respond suicide awareness training across the region.
- Received a Highly Commended award for strengthening the region’s mental health peer workforce.
Oct 2025
- Published the inaugural Allied Health Update, sharing news, training and resources.
- Supported health providers to meet new My Health Record security, privacy and compliance requirements.
Nov 2025
- Launched COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHNs Healthy Ageing Framework 2025-2028.
- Awarded Rural Health Month scholarships to support GPs and practice managers to attend Rural Doctors Network conferences.
Dec 2025
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Integrated paramedics into Medicare UCCs, strengthening urgent care access.
- Launched Connect Well pilot, improving access to health care for women and children escaping violence.
Jan 2026
- Announced selected provider for new Bega Valley Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
- Launched additional free support service to help people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.
Feb 2026
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Began developing a Healthy First Nations Framework to guide culturally responsive practice.
- Funded ADHD training and practice improvements to support more comprehensive care in general practice.
March 2026
- Organised the Bega Valley Care Expo, connecting residents with local care and wellbeing services.
- Improved access to GP and specialist care for aged care residents through new virtual care program.
April 2026
- Showcased our mental health peer workforce globally at the International Conference on Integrated Care in the UK.
- Released our Palliative and End-of-Life Care Needs Assessment.
May 2026
- Commissioned free, culturally responsive psychological support for people affected by the Bondi incident of December 2025.
- Launched community grants and collaborative initiatives in Eden to address local health priorities.
June 2026
- Hosted GP networking events in Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Sapphire Coast.
- COORDINARE Manager Jo Riley received an OAM in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for her suicide prevention advocacy.
Our priorities
Our three objectives and key priorities as outlined in our Strategic Directions are accessible care, systemised care, and an activated community. These strategic priorities guide our work and ensure that we remain responsive to the evolving needs of our communities.
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Improving access to services
We identify local health needs across South Eastern NSW and commission services to improve access to care, investing in priority areas.
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Strengthening Aboriginal health and wellbeing
We partner with First Nations peoples to strengthen Aboriginal health and wellbeing through community-led action and shared decision-making.Learn more -
Supporting our primary care workforce
Through education, support and workforce development initiatives, we help strengthen primary care services and build a more resilient health system.
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Connecting and strengthening primary care
We work collaboratively with health and community service providers to strengthen connections between primary care and the broader health system.
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Engaging with consumers
We work with consumers and communities to understand local health needs and priorities, ensuring their voices help shape healthier, more accessible and equitable services.
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Guided by strong governance
Our Board brings together diverse public and private sector expertise to guide COORDINARE's strategic direction and ensure we continue delivering high-quality primary health care for our communities.
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Our people, our impact
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Through professional development, leadership growth, collaboration and a shared commitment to our communities, they continue to strengthen our capacity to deliver meaningful impact across South Eastern NSW.
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