Our Purpose

At Sydney North Health Network (SNHN), we will take a ‘place-based’ approach to catalyse change and achieve our vision. This approach will recognise that health across the lifespan is influenced by numerous factors within that place, including physical, social, and economic elements. This holistic approach ensures that health improvements are not isolated but interconnected with other aspects of wellbeing. This approach will empower communities to actively participate in decision making and shape their own “best health” outcomes.

To inform our future strategic direction, we carried out a population needs assessment for Northern Sydney to form a baseline understanding of areas of health inequity. Overall, more than 100 individuals attended these community engagement consultations, including commissioned providers.

Over 50 separate consultations were held with other key stakeholders in Northern Sydney, including the Local Health District, Government Agencies, local councils, State and Federal Members of Parliament.

This feedback identified 5 key themes:

1. The need for a more holistic, place-based approach to care.
2. The opportunity that new digital technologies might provide to improve care.
3. The importance of healthcare provider wellbeing.
4. The opportunity presented by increased community connections and social prescribing provision.
5. The need to focus on prevention and early intervention.

This is what our strategic plan 2024-2029 focuses on.

Achieving this goal will require significant collaboration. We will work with the Northern Sydney Local Health District, state and federal government agencies, local councils, our healthcare provider workforce, other stakeholders, and most importantly, our community.