SYDNEY NORTH NEIGHBOURHOOD HEALTH HUBS TO APPROACH HEALTH AND WELFARE IN HOLISTIC WAY Model designed to continue to learn from providers and consumers in priority populations
With
Jacqui Emery, CEO
Sydney North Health Network
Eugene McGarrell,
General Manager, Commissioning
Sydney North Health Network
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | April 2026
The Northern Sydney Wellbeing Collaborative is an initiative designed to improve health and wellbeing in the Sydney North community by bringing together people across the health and social care sector, within community and local stakeholders to respond to health and social challenges.
Many people struggle to access the right care at the right time, leading to gaps, delays, and confusion when navigating the health system. By fostering collaboration and integration, the Wellbeing Collaborative will support a primary care system that works better together, making it easier for individuals to receive early intervention and preventative care. By working together and in partnership, Sydney North Health Network aim to create more connected, accessible, and person-centred services that address key health challenges locally, including chronic illness, mental health, aged care, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), and suicide prevention.
The Collaborative operates using a local approach, meaning that local community voices shape the solutions that work best for them. Through local collaboratives, SNHN will bring together service providers, community organisations, and people with lived experience to co-create and implement solutions that respond to community needs. These insights will inform the development of three Neighbourhood Health Hubs in the Sydney North region, and will provide a central point for integrated care and support in the local community. The launch of the Hubs is expected July 2026.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Sydney North Health Network CEO, Jacqui Emery and General Manager, Commissioning, Eugene McGarrell.
These are expected to deliver the following:
- Stronger local connections between healthcare, social care, and community services
- Improved health outcomes for vulnerable and at-risk populations
- A community-led approach that ensures services are shaped by local needs and solutions
- Simplified access to care through integrated Wellbeing Hubs
- Building greater health equity in the Northern Sydney region.
- Reduced demand on acute health services with a focus on prevention and early intervention
- Better coordination to reduce service fragmentation and duplication
Source: Adapted from the Sydney North Health Network website
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Pathology technology at a crossroads
The CEO of Pathology Technology Australia, Dean Whiting spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
– Pathology Technology Australia’s key priorities in the coming years
– Current local capability in pathology technology compared to other countries
– How the health system supports change and adoption of pathology technology
– How pathology is perceived by the public and in government as well as how developments in pathology technology are followed and understood
– Observations in the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce ReportIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
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Sonia Marshall – South Western Sydney Local Health District
South Western Sydney Local Health District serves nearly 1 million people in a rapidly growing area of Sydney. Currently 250-300 families a week are moving into the region and with a growing population, the health district requires well executed strategy and delivery of healthcare to the population. Executive Director Sonia Marshall spoke with Australian Health Journal reporter Anne Dao at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week in Sydney, on supporting staff and the community. Sonia highlights the mission of delivering Safe Quality Healthcare at all times. In-time patient feedback is important and the SWSLHD has implemented a system called “My Experience Matters” to give near immediate response from patients on their level of care, whilst they are still on site at the hospital. The aim of the initiative is to quickly identify bad experiences that could be rectified.
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Specialist emergency care clinics in rollout
Unlike Emergency Departments that operate within public hospitals and some private hospitals, a Walk-in Specialist Emergency Clinic is located in the community and designed to provide comprehensive, coordinated acute care – from initial consultation and diagnostic services, to treatment and specialist referral if required – without the patient having to visit a hospital.
Australian Health Journal spoke to the visionary, founder and CEO behind this WiSE Specialist Emergency clinic, Dr Pankaj Arora.
