EMPHN OneCare
Building a more integrated approach to care across eastern and north-eastern Melbourne
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What is EMPHN OneCare
EMPHN OneCare represents a significant change in how EMPHN commissions primary health care services, creating a more integrated, place-based model designed around the needs of local communities.
The model brings a range of services together into a more coordinated regional framework to make health care easier to navigate, support smoother transitions between services and give providers greater flexibility to respond to the needs of their communities.
EMPHN OneCare recognises that many people accessing commissioned services have multiple and interconnected health and wellbeing needs that can span different services and supports. By taking a more integrated approach, the model aims to reduce fragmentation, facilitate collaboration, encourage innovation and improve the experience of care for consumers and clinicians.
Why EMPHN OneCare is important
People with complex health and wellbeing needs can find themselves navigating multiple services, eligibility requirements and referral pathways. While programs may be individually effective, separate funding arrangements and contracts can make it difficult to provide coordinated care across service boundaries.
EMPHN is moving from commissioning multiple discrete programs to commissioning integrated, place-based services through fewer, longer-term, region-aligned contracts with a stronger outcome focus and greater flexibility for providers.
The model recognises that many people accessing commissioned services have multiple and interconnected needs that do not fit neatly within individual programs. It aims to reduce fragmentation and administrative burden, facilitate collaboration, encourage innovation and make services easier to navigate for consumers and clinicians.
How EMPHN OneCare works
EMPHN OneCare is a place-based commissioning model that will bring a range of services into a more coordinated regional framework. It is designed to make health care easier to navigate, support smoother transitions between services and give providers greater flexibility to respond to the needs of their communities.
The model covers the whole EMPHN catchment through three planning and commissioning regions: North, East and Inner South.
These regions reflect population needs, existing referral patterns, local hospital networks and community and provider insights. They are not eligibility boundaries, and people continue to access care where it best meets their needs.
The first phase of the model brings services together around four priority population groups:
- Children and young people
- Adults experiencing mental health, alcohol and other drug, or psychosocial challenges
- People living with chronic conditions and complex needs
- Older people
What EMPHN OneCare delivers
EMPHN OneCare creates a more connected experience for consumers and a stronger foundation for providers to work together. The model supports:
Easier access and navigation, with clearer entry points, referrals and handovers
More integrated care, connecting general practice, hospitals, community health and other services
Greater equity, with investment informed by population needs and directed towards communities experiencing poorer access or outcomes
More responsive services, giving providers greater flexibility to adapt care to local circumstances
Stronger partnerships, supporting collaboration, shared planning and learning across regions
Greater provider and workforce stability, through broader and more sustainable contracting arrangements
Less duplication and administration, allowing more time and resources to be directed towards care
Better use of data, with more consistent measures helping EMPHN and providers understand performance, outcomes and opportunities for improvement
For consumers, the goal is a care experience that feels more connected and less dependent on navigating separate programs.
For providers, OneCare creates greater opportunity to collaborate, innovate and respond to local needs.
For EMPHN and its funders, it provides a stronger basis for understanding impact and directing investment where it can make the greatest difference.
Working with consumers and providers
Consumer choice, culturally safe care, continuity of services and equitable access remain central principles of the model.
EMPHN continues to work with consumers, clinicians, providers and partner organisations to inform how services are coordinated and delivered across the region.
Implementation will be phased, allowing the model to evolve through evidence, evaluation and what EMPHN learns alongside its partners and communities. Over time, EMPHN OneCare will provide a platform for a more integrated, equitable and sustainable primary health care system across eastern and north-eastern Melbourne.