SEMPHN

09/10/2025

From 1 November 2025, changes will be made to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Initiative through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, subject to the passage of legislation.

Key points:
- Removal of the 12 review and mental health consultation items - GPs and PMPs will use the most appropriate time-tiered professional attendance items, reflecting the time spent with a patient.
- Any Mental Health Treatment Plan dated before 1 November will remain valid until all services have been delivered

👉Learn more about the upcoming changes here -

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

09/10/2025

SEMPHN invites eligible organisations to submit tenders to deliver the care finder program.

Care finder is a free service designed to help vulnerable and older people who have no one else to support them. The program assists individuals in navigating and accessing aged care support services within their community.

👉Learn more about this tender opportunity here - https://ow.ly/J5KV50X8VLi

29/09/2025

Introducing Puffin, the latest addition to the POLAR data extraction and analysis tool.

GPs and practices can now easily make sure they comply with GPACI requirements through an interactive dashboard, which helps track and report on services offered to residents of aged care homes.

👉Learn more here - https://ow.ly/fyva50X0E1W

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

24/09/2025

Ten years of SEMPHN, ten years of ideas that stick. Back in 2016–17 we introduced “Nellie” (now known as Florence), an SMS tool that lets patients text blood-pressure readings straight to their GP.

Early results: steadier blood pressure control, fewer trips to the clinic and people who feel on top of their health. Nellie / Florence is just one way we’ve improved care across south east Melbourne—and we’re only getting started.

👉Learn more -

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

23/09/2025

Have you seen the new Bulk Billing Incentives Calculator released for practices and GPs?

The calculator helps provide an estimate of annual earnings from Medicare bulk billing incentives (BBIs) and the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP), starting 1 November 2025.

👉Learn more about how to use the calculator here -

Changes to bulk billing incentives from 1 November 2025 will expand the eligibility of bulk billing incentives to all Australians with a Medicare card.

22/09/2025

SEMPHN turns 10! 🥳To celebrate, we’re rolling out bite-sized stories of impact—digital health breakthroughs, youth wellbeing wins, aged care innovation and more.

Dive into our 10-Year Impact Series and see how local partnerships turn ideas into healthier lives across south east Melbourne -

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

18/09/2025

Are you or do you know a First Nations carer supporting a loved one affected by alcohol, other drugs, or mental health challenges?

Windana is offering a monthly First People's Carers Program. Sessions are available now until the end of the year.

Learn more about the program and view session times here -

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

16/09/2025

Are you a General Practitioner or GP registrar?

We are seeking feedback from our regions GPs to help shape our new Clinical and Referral Guidance Platform.

The new platform aims to give general practitioners streamlined access to:
- Free clinical guidance via Therapeutic Guidelines (as part of a 12-month funded trial)
- Local referral information from Peninsula Health and Alfred Health, with Monash Health coming soon

We are holding two in-person workshops next week.
📅Workshop 1: Tuesday 23 September, 7am – 8:30am, Mornington Golf Club, Tallis Drive, Mornington VIC 3931
📅Workshop 2: Wednesday 24 September, 7am – 8:30am, Royal Brighton Yacht Club, 253 Esplanade, Brighton VIC 3186

A light breakfast will be provided, and participants will be paid for their time.

👉Register for workshop 1 here - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1463038
👉Register for workshop 2 here - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1463183

Places are limited, so we encourage you to secure your spot.

15/09/2025

It’s Dementia Action Week (15 – 21 September) and this year’s theme is ‘Nobody can do it alone’, reminding us that dementia impacts not just the individual, but also carers, families and communities.

Our free Dementia Rehabilitation Program, delivered by Encara Allied Health, provides in-home allied health-led support to help people with dementia live independently, while supporting their carers too.

A daughter of a participant recently shared:

“What an amazing program – the allied health team are brilliant and extremely skilful. The program is comprehensive, and Mum and I feel very lucky to be a part of it”

Learn more about the program here -

The Dementia Rehabilitation Program provides support to people with dementia and their carers to maintain their independence. The service is available to people over 65 years old living in Mornington Peninsula, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, and Frankston. This service provides a specialist dem...

12/09/2025

The Australian Government has recently released information about upcoming changes to the Better Access initiative, following the Better Access evaluation.

From 1 November 2025, Medicare benefits will only be payable for Better Access services where the mental health treatment plan, review of the mental health treatment plan and referrals has been undertaken at a patient’s MyMedicare registered practice or by their usual medical practitioner.

Learn more about the upcoming changes here - https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/better-access-initiative -more

10/09/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day (10 September 2025) and this year’s theme is ‘Changing the Narrative on Su***de,’ which challenges us to move away from silence and stigma, to openness, empathy and action.

“Su***de prevention is about connection. By listening, reaching out, and showing empathy, we can all play a role in supporting people through their darkest moments.”

Fabiola Case, SEMPHN's Su***de Prevention Senior Program Officer.

👉Learn more here - https://www.semphn.org.au/world-suicide-prevention-day-changing-the-narrativewhich

***dePreventionDay

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

09/09/2025

SEMPHN is on a 12-month security awareness campaign, seeking to improve awareness of cybersecurity, disaster recovery and privacy in primary care.

Last month, we kicked off the campaign with our two-part cybersecurity webinar series. This month, we are recommending the Australian Digital Health Agency's Digital Health Security Awareness eLearning course.

👉Complete the course here - https://ow.ly/Hawe50WSQYB