Commissioning

The components of our commissioning and development framework are:

Strategy

Developing a clear primary health care strategy for Western Queensland that aligns with wider health system strategies.

Understand Health Needs

Continuously assessing the health needs of our population, and determining priorities.

Plan

Planning which types of health services will best meet our population’s prioritised health needs.

Co-Design

Designing clinically informed, culturally responsive and evidence-based services.

Modify and Enhance

Modifying and enhancing existing service Enhance provision to align with the future model of care.

Procure

Specifying, contracting and funding health services using the most appropriate procurement mechanism.

Monitor

Monitoring provider service delivery and building provider capability.

Evaluate

Evaluating health service performance and adapting commissioning strategies as priorities change.

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WQPHN Contractual Header Agreement with Commissioned Service Providers - Enhancements

The Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) Header Agreement serves as the contractual framework specifying the Terms and Conditions between WQPHN and Commissioned Service Providers (CSPs).

In July 2023, WQPHN made enhancements to our Header Agreement to ensure compliance with new Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC) directives and other legislative requirements. Please see the "FY 23/24 WQPHN Header Agreement Enhancements – FAQ for CSP" (PDF) for crucial updates made to the terms and conditions of the contractual framework between WQPHN and CSPs for Financial Year 2023/2024.

In February 2024, the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) released its findings of the effectiveness of the (Australian Government) Department of Health and Aged Care’s (DOHAC) Performance Management of Primary Health Network. The ANAO made the following eight recommendations to DOHAC, in which DOHAC agreed to seven and one as agreed in principle (See Table below).

Consequently from 1^st July 2024, WQPHN is making further enhancements to our Header Agreements to ensure compliance to the ANAO audit recommendations. WQPHN is also making further improvements to a particular Clause based on feedback from our CSPs. Please see the "FY 24/25 WQPHN Header Agreement Enhancements – FAQ for CSP" (PDF) for updates made to the terms and conditions of the contractual framework between WQPHN and CSPs for Financial Year 2024/2025.

These updates aim to improve the delivery of safe, high-quality services by introducing clearer definitions, use of online platforms if applicable, changing intellectual property rights pertaining only to Funding Agreement and its scope, deliverable performance, and ensuring the CSPs are aware that PHNs are required to share data and information to DOHAC to meet ANAO recommendations. The document is designed to aid CSPs in adapting to these changes while maintaining effective primary health service delivery. For further information or to discuss the Header Agreement enhancements in more detail, please contact WQPHN directly at:

Table – Eight Recommendations from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report on the effectiveness of the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (DOHAC) Performance Management of Primary Health Network

Recommendation No. 1 (Paragraph 2.24)	The Department of Health and Aged Care ensure that PHNs fully comply with transparency and accountability requirements established in grant agreements, including requirements to participate in and provide data and information for the purposes of evaluation.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed.
Recommendation No. 2 (Paragraph 3.25)	The Department of Health and Aged Care establish performance measures that are clearly aligned to the Primary Health Networks’ and delivery model’s objectives.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed.
Recommendation No. 3 (Paragraph 3.28)	Where there is a reliance on Primary Health Network-supplied data, the Department of Health and Aged Care establish a risk-based methodology for obtaining assurance over the data.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed.
Recommendation No. 4 (Paragraph 3.35)	The Department of Health and Aged Care report on Primary Health Network performance as soon as practicable following the year to which the majority of the performance information relates.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed.
Recommendation No. 5 (Paragraph 3.47)	The Department of Health and Aged Care publish individual PHNs’ performance data and analysis in annual reports.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed.
Recommendation No. 6 (Paragraph 3.52)	The Department of Health and Aged Care publicly report on performance measures: a)      in compliance with the Primary Health Network performance framework by reporting all performance measures; and b)      in a way that is consistent with the intended purpose of conveying information about performance in addition to compliance with grant agreement requirements.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed.
Recommendation No. 7 (Paragraph 3.59)	The Department of Health and Aged Care implement a fit-for-purpose IT system for administering Primary Health Networks that supports the accurate capture and reporting of compliance and performance information.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed in principle.
Recommendations No. 8 (Paragraph 4.10)	The Department of Health and Aged Care: a)      develop an evaluation plan for the Primary Health Network delivery model; and b)      evaluate the Primary Health Network delivery model to determine whether it is achieving its objectives.   Department of Health and Aged Care response: Agreed.

Please see the ANAO report for more information. The ANAO report have direct implications for PHNs to enhance their performance management processes and mechanisms to meet the audit recommendations as agreed by DOHAC.