Improving quality care delivery: George Institute & Leeder Centre respond to productivity commission inquiry – Pillar 4

An endeavour of The George Institute for Global Health and The Leeder Centre, this document marks the first instalment of the ongoing evaluation of NSW Health’s Collaborative Commissioning Initiative. This joint response outlines key benefits and barriers to NSW’s initiative, which aims to better integrate primary and hospital care by forming alliance between Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and Local Health Districts (LHDs), known as Patient Centred Collaborative Commissioning Groups (PCCGs).

As part of the evaluation, this document provides a case study from the Northern Sydney PCGG, where the “Rapid Care Pathway” targets avoidable emergency department visits by older adults through coordinated care. This example illustrates the promise of these reforms, showing potential reductions in hospital demand and improvement of patient outcomes through proactive, community-based care.

This document recommends building robust governance structures, investing in integrated digital infrastructure, fostering workforce development, and reforming financing models to support long-term, cross-sector collaboration. The approach is presented as both a promising reform mechanism and a necessary step toward broader, sustainable health system transformation in Australia.

Leads

Veronica Le Nevez

Veronica Le Nevez

Head of Impact and Engagement
Georgia White

Georgia White

Policy and Advocacy Advisor