Primary Health Network

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are health administrative areas which represent primary health care organisations in Australia from July 2014. Primary Health Networks were established by the Australian Government with the key objectives of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes; and improving coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

There were 31 PHNs in Australia in 2015, covering the whole country. In 2015 there were 10 PHNs within the boundaries of NSW.

Methods used to adjust estimates for rare conditions analysed by Primary Health Network in HealthStats NSW

The term ‘small area’ refers to a sub-state geographical area with a small population. Data analysed for small areas may result in estimates that display considerable variability from year to year, particularly for rare conditions or events. Smoothing is a general term for statistical methods used to reduce the random variability of data in small populations. Examples of smoothing include rounding, moving averages, extending the period of time in which cases are counted or increasing the size of the areas. In addition, statistical smoothing can be used to adjust raw estimates in small areas by taking into account information from adjacent areas (local or spatial variability) and from the whole state (global or non-spatial variability).

In HealthStats NSW, the most frequently used smoothing technique for data presented by Primary Health Networks is the aggregation of several years of data together followed by the calculation of a rolling average across the aggregated years.

Primary Health Network population estimates used in HealthStats NSW

In HealthStats NSW, the total population used for each Primary Health Network when calculating age-standardised rates are the Estimated Resident Populations produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and projections produced by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment. As sub-state projections based on the 2016 Census are not yet available, population projections for Primary Health Networks (estimated population for 2017 and onwards) are based on Estimated Resident Populations produced by the ABS prior to the 2016 Census.

References

Australian Government Department of Health. Primary Health Networks. Available at https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PHN-Home

Australian Government Department of Health. New South Wales Primary Health Networks. Available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/phn-maps-nsw