The Community and Primary Health Care Network (CPHCN) is building strong partnerships between the University, Primary Health Care organisations and people in the community. Our aim is to promote and embed a Primary Health Care approach centred on meeting people’s health needs throughout their whole life.
Our Faculty of Medicine and Health delivers education and research programs that encompass widest array of healthcare disciplines of any University in Australia. Primary Health Care principles and newly emerging models of care are integral to supporting a high quality, high performing Australian healthcare system.
Primary Health Care is defined by the World Health Organisation as essential health care that is universally accessible and meets people’s health needs throughout their lives. We are dedicated to achieving this by embedding a Primary Health Care approach to research, education and engagement.
A Primary Health Care approach is a whole of society approach. It includes methods of health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. It addresses the broader determinants of health through multisectoral policy and action, an importantly, empowers individuals, families and communities to take charge of their own health and care.
A research study is being undertaken to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals who work with pharmacists to provide mental healthcare to people living with mental illness in the community. The study also aims to identify needs and strategies to enhance interprofessional collaboration. Healthcare professionals currently in practice who support mental healthcare, including General Practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers, are being invited to participate.
Participants will take part in a 60-minute online interview, receive reimbursement for their time, and contribute valuable insights to enhance collaboration in mental healthcare. Further information is available here. Please contact Dr Ricki Ng with any questions.
Researchers at the University of Sydney are seeking participants for a study examining the impact of combined vision and hearing loss (dual sensory impairment, or DSI) on older adults and the close family members who care for them. Previous studies show that older adults with DSI often experience social isolation, loneliness, depression, and reduced participation in daily activities. Family members, such as a spouse, partner, or adult child, also play a vital role in supporting people with DSI in their daily lives.
Adults aged over 65 with both hearing and vision loss, along with their family carers, are invited to take part in this study to help better understand the impacts of DSI on individuals and families.
For more information see here or contact Dr Moira Dunsmore with any questions or to express interest.
Hearty congratulations to Sydney Pharmacist Dr Shania Liu who was recently recognised internationally as a winner of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Early Career in Pharmaceutical Practice Recognition Award 2024. Dr Liu is the immediate past Chair of the Pain Management Leadership Committee of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia. Her research involves the improvement of the safe use of opioids before and after surgery.
Congratulations to Professor Meredith Makeham who has received funding under the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Targeted Call for Research: Ensuring the quality and safety of telehealth.
Professor Makeham’s research project will examine the safety, quality, acceptability, and sustainability of using telehealth services for individuals living in residential aged care homes.
We are excited to share our Community and Primary Health Care (CPHC) Portfolio and Network Strategic Plan 2022-2027 (pdf, 7.4MB) officially launched in December.
In this plan, we describe the initiatives that we will deliver to meet our community and primary health care strategic goals over the next five years. It has been created with input from consumers, community and advocacy organisations, healthcare providers and colleagues from Primary Health Networks and Local Health Districts who share our vision of healthcare that delivers equity and access for all.
Thank you to all of our CPHC champions across the University and within our external partner organisations who have provided invaluable contributions to developing our plan. Our ability to translate our goals into tangible benefits for our community will be enhanced by working together.
View the Strategic Plan (pdf, 7.4MB)
Strong Australia is a national community dedicated to promoting strength as a foundation for health, independence and wellbeing across the lifespan. Founded by Dr Coralie Wales OAM, the organisation takes a broad view of what it means to be strong — physical strength is part of it, but so are resilience, relationships, community connection and the ability to stay active and independent as we age.
This event brings together the Strong Australia Board and researchers, clinicians and partners from the University of Sydney's Community and Primary Health Care Network (CPHCN). It's an opportunity to make new connections and explore shared interests at the intersection of primary health care and healthy ageing across the lifespan.
When: Thursday 13 August 2026, 4:00-7:00pm
Where: Susan Wakil Health Building, Level 4 lobby
Light refreshments will be provided. All welcome.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events by the Community and Primary Health Care Network.
Presented by the Community and Primary Health Care Network and SydSafe
Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases: A World Patient Safety Day Event
Join the Community and Primary Health Care Network (CPHCN) and SydSafe as we mark World Patient Safety Day 2026, exploring this year's global theme, "Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases," under the WHO slogan "Safe care for life!"
Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory conditions, account for the majority of deaths worldwide and often require ongoing, long-term care. People living with these conditions face heightened safety risks due to the complexity and duration of their care, making this year's theme especially relevant to how we design safer, more person-centred health systems.
This event will be hosted by CPHCN Convenor Professor Meredith Makeham, and will openwith a keynote from Professor Melissa Baysari, sharing insights from SydSafe's research and exploring how artificial intelligence is shaping safer, more person-centred care for people living with chronic conditions.
Following the keynote, join us for an expert panel discussion chaired by Professor Brendan McCormack, bringing together leading voices in health systems, digital health, research and consumer advocacy to discuss how organisations, clinicians, researchers and consumers are responding to this year's WPSD theme. Panellists include:
The afternoon will close with networking drinks and canapés, offering a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the health sector.
When: Thursday 3 September 2026, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Where: Sibyl Centre, Women's College, University of Sydney
We look forward to welcoming you.
Eventbrite page.
We marked the World Health Organization’s World Patient Safety Day on 30 September 2025 at The Sibyl Centre, The Women’s College, University of Sydney.
This year’s theme, “Safe care for every newborn and every child”, calls for urgent action to prevent harm from the very start of life. Our symposium brought together leading experts from Australia, Sweden and the United States to explore innovative and evidence-based strategies for improving child health safety across all settings.
The Community and Primary Health Care Network co-hosted a seminar showcasing new models of virtual care and telehealth technologies in the community for older Australians. The event was co-hosted in collaboration with The Kolling Institute, Sydney North Health Network and Sydney Health Partners' Virtual Care Clinical Academic Group and Geriatric Medicine Clinical Academic Group.
The event brought together consumers, clinicians and digital health experts at the forefront of developing and delivering new models of virtual care in the region and beyond. The event included presentations on innovative new technologies being developed and delivered by the North Sydney Primary Health Network in collaboration with GPs and residential aged care homes in the Northern Sydney Region, an update on the Virtual Care Service at Royal North Shore Hospital, and additional updates on research, innovation and services being developed in the field of virtual care and technology supporting older Australians in NSW and beyond from experts from Sydney Health Partners.
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The Network recognised WHO World Patient Safety Day recently with an event celebrating the faculty's recent partnering with Health Consumers NSW. The event's discussions centred on empowering consumers as partners in our healthcare system as well as improving diagnosis, both critical to improving patient safety.
Keynote Kirsten McCaffery from the Sydney Health Literacy Lab spoke about partnering with consumers to develop and evaluate new interventions to strengthen digital health literacy. Anthony Brown, CEO Health Consumers NSW, then chaired a panel discussion with Anne Duggan from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, Karen Luxford of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, Andrew Wilson from the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission and Health Consumer leader Laila Hallam.
The CPHCN and the Sydney Policy Lab recently celebrated World Patient Safety Day with the Patient Safety and Person-Centred Care Symposium exploring innovative models of care, safety practices and policies that keep the person at the centre of decision-making. Speakers:
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Co-presented by the CPHCN together with the Digital Health Informatics Network with guest speaker Prof Paul Bowie from Glasgow University and emerging CPHC Sydney researchers.
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Co-presented by the CPHCN, Cancer Research Network and the Daffodil Centre with presentations by Prof Karen Canfell, Prof Deborah Bateson, A/Prof Megan Smith with cervical cancer survivor and advocate Kirsty Brown and Prof Alison Brand.
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Community-University collaborations: addressing health service needs and workforce development
Broadcasting live from Broken Hill with panellists online in Lismore and Dubbo on Zoom, this CPHCN webinar focused on our rural and regional Schools and their connections in their local communities.
An expert panel of Primary Health Networks (PHN) leaders presented an engaging webinar in May focused on the the valuable role PHNs play in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities. The panel described the national PHN agenda and highlighted some key programs of work, including collaborative commissioning and climate change and mental health. We heard about the vital role of PHNs in dealing with the impacts of COVID and extreme weather, including the recent floods in Northern NSW. Speakers also provided a researcher’s 101 guide on how to engage with PHNs and the Primary Health Care clinicians and communities they serve.
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The CPHC Network Leadership Group represents the CPHC disciplines within the University and key external and affiliated partners in fields relating to CPHC:
As a Senior Lecturer FMH, I am based at the University Centre for Rural Health in northern NSW. I lead a large-scale interprofessional education program on integrated care, engaging over 1,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students annually from up to 20 Australian universities across 15 health disciplines, alongside health and care stakeholders.
I hold a Master of Nursing (Education), a Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies (Higher Education). I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
My educational philosophy centres on preparing the health and care workforce to manage health and wellbeing, rather than focusing solely on disease and cure. This involves promoting early intervention, prevention, and collaborative practice across diverse service providers in both health and social care sectors. Integrated care requires a distinct set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes—ones not traditionally emphasised in current training models. As part of my research, I have developed a global Framework to support this transformative approach to education and workforce development.
Affiliations:
Bradley Christian is an AHPRA-registered specialist in Public Health Dentistry and Associate Professor of Population Oral Health at the University of Sydney School of Dentistry, where he directs the Master of Dental Public Health - the only specialist training program in Australia. He also leads the Westmead Oral Health Services Research Hub, a partnership with Western Sydney Local Health District to embed a Learning Health System in public dental services; and is Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health at Western Sydney University. Dr Christian holds a PhD in Health Services, and completed a residency in Dental Public Health at the National Institutes of Health, USA. Having worked extensively across both academics and health services, he brings a deep understanding of the contemporary issues affecting population oral health as well as strategic operational issues across both industries.
His research focuses on preventing oral diseases through population health, service integration and implementation science, with a particular interest in linking oral health to primary care and chronic disease prevention.
Affiliations:
- Population Oral Health, University of Sydney School of Dentistry
- Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney
- Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health, Western Sydney University
- Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Western Sydney LHD
Dr Simone De Morgan is a primary health care researcher and teacher at the General Practice Clinical School, University of Sydney (Senior Lecturer/Senior Research Fellow). Stream 1 of Simone’s research includes co-designing and evaluating integrated interdisciplinary models of care in primary care for adults and young people with chronic pain. Stream 2 of Simone’s research focuses on interdisciplinary eLearning and mentorship programs related to chronic pain. Stream 3 of Simone’s research focuses on social prescribing and the integration of health and social care in primary care. Stream 4 of Simone’s research focuses on strategies implemented by education providers to increase interest in general practice.
Affiliations: GP Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Moira is an experienced qualitative researcher and leads a program of research aimed at co-designing integrated health and social care for older adults with dual sensory impairment, their informal carers, and families. A central aim of this work is to influence policy recognition of the health and social experiences of older adults living with DSI.
Moira currently leads the Australian Association of Gerontology funded study "Developing integrated care models for older adults with dual sensory impairment (DSI) and their family carers"; co-leads the Dual Sensory Impairment Project and is co-chair of the international Dual-SIG research and practice group.
Affiliations: Sydney Nursing School, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre (SSEAC), Centre for Disability Research and Policy (CDRP)
Dr Liliana Laranjo is an Associate Professor at the Westmead Applied Research Centre (WARC), Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney. She holds a prestigious Horizon Fellowship investigating the use of artificial intelligence for chronic disease management.
Dr Laranjo has a background as a General Practitioner (Portugal), having a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, and a PhD in Digital Health. She was a 2022 World Heart Federation Emerging Leader and has been awarded a NHMRC Emerging Leader Investigator Grant (2023-2027), Sydney Horizon Fellowship, and an Honorary Future Leader Fellowship from the National Heart Foundation in Australia. She is Founding Member of The Lancet Primary Care International Advisory Board and Past Deputy Chair of the World Organisation of General Practitioners (WONCA) Digital Health Working Party.
Affiliations: Westmead Applied Research Centre (WARC), Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney
Katrina is a PhD candidate in nursing at The University of Sydney, researching factors influencing lifestyle risk factor management and preventive care through a mixed methods study of Australian general practice nurses. Since 2018, she has held a teaching role at The University of Sydney and has worked as a research assistant at the University of New South Wales Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing with First-Class Honours, a Master’s in Primary Health Care, and a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education. Katrina also works clinically as a registered nurse at her local hospital.
Ricki’s research focuses on mental health care, with a particular interest in improving support for people living with mental illness and those experiencing psychological distress or mental health crisis in community settings. Her work examines pharmacist-led mental health support, workforce training, service implementation, interprofessional collaboration, and opportunities to strengthen early intervention and pathways to care.
Affiliations: Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Heather’s current doctoral research explores virtual wound care in Australian residential aged settings. This work investigates the benefits, costs and factors affecting successful implementation of a novel computer vision-based artificial intelligence wound analysis tool embedded in a video telehealth platform. Heather also undertakes research and teaching focusing on improving learners' understanding of the social determinants of health to address health inequities. She has led the development and implementation of The Australian Rural Health Game, an educational board game for health professional students which explores health determinants in a novel and engaging way.
Affiliations: School of Rural Health Dubbo/Orange, Sydney Medical School Research
Kristie Weir (BSc, MPH, PhD) is a senior research fellow whose research focuses on medication-related health communication and decision-making in primary care, with emphasis on older adults and deprescribing. She holds an Emerging Leader Investigator Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and founded the Deprescribing Communication Research Collaborative. Kristie is part of the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics, and Data and the Sydney Health Literacy Lab. She is also an adjunct researcher at the Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, where she spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher.
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