Strategic Plan 2026-2029

Content last updated 6/10/2026

Our system shaping strategy

A new direction for a healthier, more connected Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is growing and changing. More people need support to access care and live healthier lives, while the health system is facing increasing pressure.

Our Strategic Plan 2026–2029 sets a clear direction for how Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) will help shape a more connected and equitable health system – one that improves access to care and delivers better health outcomes for everyone.

“We’ve listened to our community, partners, clinicians, consumers and our team to shape a clear vision for the future. Our new strategy positions GCPHN as a system shaping PHN, focused on improving health outcomes where community need is greatest.”

Dr Ka-Kiu Cheung

Board Chair

Watch to learn more

Why this matters

Good health care should be easier to access, easier to navigate and better connected.

But for many people, care can still be difficult to access or navigate, services can feel disconnected, and some communities face greater barriers to getting the care they need. As the Gold Coast grows and changes, we need to think differently about how the health system works. GCPHN has an important role to play.

We don’t deliver healthcare directly. We work with the people, organisations and services that do. We bring people together, understand local health needs, invest where we can make the greatest difference, and use evidence to improve what works.

Together, we can help shape a health system that works better for everyone.

Our vision

Shaping better health outcomes for every person on the Gold Coast.

Health matters to all of us. Whether it’s staying well, accessing care when we need it, supporting a loved one or preventing future health problems, everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy life.

At GCPHN, we work across the local health system to help make this possible. Because when the system works better, people can access the right care, when and where they need it, and live healthier lives.

Our system shaping mindset

We think beyond individual services to strengthen the health system as a whole.

We focus effort where community need is greatest. We bring the right people together to design and improve care. We use evidence to guide decisions and invest in what works. By strengthening connections across the health system, we can improve access to care and help deliver better health outcomes for everyone.

Our ambition: To be a leading system shaping PHN, driving better health outcomes where community need is greatest.

We’ll do this by:

  • Designing care and support where community need is greatest
  • Strengthening general practice and primary care
  • Using evidence to show what works
  • Building data, digital and workforce capability

Strategic focus areas

1. Portfolio-led commissioning

Disciplined, evidence-informed and outcomes-focused commissioning model that directs investment to areas of greatest need, impact and value.

  • All planning and investment decisions aligned to strategic direction
  • Align activity to local need, where it will have the biggest impact
  • Strengthen commissioning procurement, visibility and transparency
2. Putting primary care first

Position primary care as the coordinating anchor of the system, improving access, continuity and outcomes for priority populations.

  • Support workforce and system capability uplift
  • Co-design models in partnership with SMEs
  • Improve pathways, access and continuity of care
  • Support general practice in quality improvement initiatives
3. Evidence, value, and scale

Build a clear, trusted and consistent evidence base that shows what works, informs decisions and strengthens confidence with government and partners.

  • Strengthen outcomes and measurement
  • Use evidence to guide decisions
  • Embed review and evaluation in all our work
  • Improve impact reporting
4. Data and digital maturity

Build trusted data and digital foundations to better identify need, inform planning and commissioning, support care coordination and improve visibility
of performance and outcomes across the organisation and its partnerships.

  • Improve data quality and governance
  • Build reporting to inform decision-making
  • Strengthen data sharing and digital connectivity
  • Grow internal analytics and digital capability
  • Use insights to inform commissioning investment

Our Strategic Plan 2026–2029 does not change who we are.

It is a commitment to how we focus our effort, make decisions and maximise our impact where it matters most.

We know the Gold Coast
We identify gaps in care
We connect people and services
We strengthen general practice
We use evidence to guide decisions
We invest where it matters
We strengthen general practice
We use evidence to guide decisions

Together, we’re shaping a health system that helps people live healthier lives.