During 2024-25 NWMPHN continued to refine and deliver robust Medicare Mental Health data, systems and analytics services to support the evolving needs of providers, planners and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. 

These systems play an increasingly important role in supporting national mental health reform efforts, providing timely, detailed and consistent data to inform service planning and delivery. The department and other primary health networks have acknowledged the value of the work as scalable, adaptable and fit for purpose. 

NWMPHN's Insight, Performance and Digital Services teams approach is collaborative and responsive, ensuring that insights are grounded in national priorities and local service delivery. This dual perspective helps bridge the gap between strategic planning and on-the-ground implementation. Systems developed by the team are designed to be technically robust, transparent, and reusable, underpinned by strong governance and a focus on continuous improvement. 

One key project which demonstrated this was the National Mental Health eReferral Prototype Project, which set out to improve the mental health referral process by delivering a nationally scalable, digitally integrated referral solution that improves efficiency, enhances user experience, and enables seamless interoperability between health care systems. 

Looking ahead 

The next step is to secure sector and government support to expand the system to encompass activity beyond Medicare Mental Health, including services commissioned under various national and local initiatives. 

A key opportunity lies in supporting greater alignment and integration with existing national efforts, particularly the Primary Mental Health Care Minimum Data Set (PMHC-MDS). Enhancing the system in this way would reduce duplication of reporting effort, improve consistency, and complement broader government-led data and performance initiatives. 

Rather than replacing or competing with existing systems, this work is intended to strengthen interoperability and provide a flexible, scalable framework that supports shared goals across the sector. It would also improve the availability of timely and comparable insights to better inform planning, commissioning and service delivery at local and national levels. 

Ultimately, this approach supports a more connected and efficient data environment, enabling consistent benchmarks, reducing administrative burden, and helping to translate frontline experience into meaningful system-wide improvements. 

“This work reflects NWMPHN’s strengths in data, systems and collaboration,” said IPDS Executive Director, Emma McKeown. 

“We’ve built strong partnerships, not only with other primary health networks, but also with a wide range of primary and tertiary health organisations. Our expertise in designing effective, scalable data systems is well recognised, and it’s closely aligned with the needs of the health system. 

“Primary health networks across the country share common goals when it comes to analysing and commissioning mental health services. This next phase offers a real opportunity to strengthen national consistency, support shared learning, and deliver clearer insights, and we’re proud to be contributing to that future.”