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.

South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) is seeking applications from small/solo general practices with 4 or fewer general practitioner Full Time Equivalent (FTE) roles, operating in Frankston and / or Mornington Peninsula Local Government Areas to deliver Multidisciplinary Team care.

Funding up to a maximum of $134,878 (ex GST) over two years (refer Table 3 in Part B Specifications) will be available for up to 15 general practices to recruit allied health professionals, nurse practitioners, nurses, midwives or Aboriginal health workers or practitioners.

Successful general practices will be asked to participate in continuous learning and improvement codesign and evaluation workshops to understand barriers, challenges and success factors to delivering multidisciplinary care in small and solo practices. Funding for general practices to participate and manage the program is included as part of the overall funding. There will also be support to successful practices from SEMPHN to reduce the administrative burden of reporting through the use of the POLAR system.