Our OrganisationSouth Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) commissions services and works in partnership with local stakeholders to help people in south east Melbourne get the health care they need, when and where they need it.
We are leaders, facilitators and influencers in the shared goal of better primary health care.
As a leader in primary health care design and delivery, SEMPHN commissions out-of-hospital services locally. We make quality care more accessible and integrated, and easier to navigate – especially for people who are vulnerable and/or marginalised.
We challenge the status quo and often design things differently, with a very clear goal: to measurably improve health. In fact, this is the ultimate measure of our success. Evidence-based practice is the foundation of our work, and we are constantly asking, ‘how can we do this even better?’ In facing the many opportunities and challenges in our work, our people are exceptional at adapting to evolving needs.
PHNs are funded by the Australian Government to help people get the right health care, at the right place and at the right time. Taxpayers deserve a system that is transparent and accountable, and we take this responsibility very seriously. The health needs of our community are at the heart of what we do.
Our Values
Collaboration
We work harmoniously with others. We work towards shared common goals. We are open to sharing ideas.
Community
We are true partners. We respect diversity. We engage with community leaders.
Accountability
We understand what is expected. We take responsibility for our actions. We do what we say we will do. We go that extra mile.
Respect
We treat each others fairly. We approach differences of opinion constructively. We are empathetic and embrace diversity.
Excellence
We strive for continual improvement. We are flexible and adaptive. We aim to be the best we can be.
Solution Focused
We work to improve health outcomes. We have clarity on our goals. We are problem solvers.
Our catchment
Our catchment covers 3,000km2 stretching from St Kilda to Sorrento to Bunyip, including the major population hubs of Clayton, Dandenong, Moorabbin, Caulfield, Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham.
Our Population
SEMPHN catchment population:
1,582,258 (Victoria 6,460,675)
South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land our catchment covers, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways our catchment covers. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future, and uphold their relationship to this land.
Services in the region
Our community snapshot
People under the aged of 25
- Approximately 500,000 people are 25 years and younger
- Bayside, Cardinia and Casey have the highest proportion of youth aged 15-24 years
- It is estimated 75% of young people experience mental health illness before the age of 25
- Suicide accounts for one-third of deaths among people aged 15-24
People over the age of 65
- 135,582 aged pensioners
- Mornington Peninsula and Bayside have the highest proportion of people aged over 65 years
- 25% of people aged 65+ live alone
- 30% of people aged 75+ live alone
Residential aged care facilities in south east Melbourne
Socio-economic factors
Greater Dandenong has the highest proportion of people unemployed in the catchment and highest rates of gaming machine losses. The highest rates of mortgage and rental stress were observed in Casey.
Cultural factors & languages spoken at home
Top 15 languages spoken
Mental health needs
- 40% of people have mental health needs
- 17% of people experience high or very high social isolation
- 157,641 people living with or experience high or very high levels of psychological distress
Residents of Greater Dandenong (26%) and Casey (21%) have the highest reported rates of isolation.
Getting to know our most vulnerable
SEMPHN personas combine personal stories and real-life experiences with data from our Needs Assessments to show areas of high need in south eastern Melbourne. Each of our personas tell the stories of real people and their personal journeys.
Learn more about their stories here.
Investing in services our community needs
To deliver our vision, we perform effective and efficient needs assessments and invest in programs to provide measurable outcomes.
We use a commissioning approach to plan local health services with the aim of improving the health and well-being of people in south eastern Melbourne.
Our commissioning cycle involves five key stages
Population health analysis gives us the opportunity to understand systemic gaps, identify the priority health needs of our community and invest in services that are locally-appropriate and patient-centred, based on evidence.
By working closely with our partners, we continue to measure outcomes, evaluate services and improve service delivery to address the needs of people in our community.
Find out more about our commissioning process
