Giving allied health a stronger voice
Allied health practices and individual providers mapped across the Murrumbidgee
Allied health professionals received the monthly Allied Health Care Connection newsletter, launched in August 2025
Individual practice meetings held across the region, alongside new education, networking and advisory opportunities
Digital Lunch & Learn sessions delivered
Established in June 2026
Allied Health included in the established Community of Practice with GPs, nurses and other health providers in November 2025
During 2025-2026, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) strengthened its engagement with allied health professionals, creating more opportunities for a diverse and often fragmented workforce to connect, collaborate and influence primary healthcare across the Murrumbidgee.
A key focus was making engagement consistent and practical. MPHN launched the monthly Allied Health Care Connection newsletter, delivered Digital Lunch & Learn sessions and established PeerLINK, an online community of practice. Allied health information was also strengthened within HealthPathways to support timely referrals and more connected multidisciplinary care.
The Murrumbidgee Allied Health Advisory Committee (MAHAC) provided an important mechanism for practitioners to shape that work. Meeting every eight weeks, the committee contributed to digital health training, HealthPathways integration and future directions for allied health engagement.
MPHN Allied Health Engagement Lead Renelle Harrison said the change is increasingly visible.
“If I look back from now to 12 months ago, there’s a lot more awareness within allied health of the core functions of Primary Health Networks, specifically of the opportunities and resources available through MPHN. There is also awareness more broadly among primary care stakeholders about the role of allied health professionals, and the value of Australia’s second largest health workforce.”
Late in 2025, the Riverina Community of Practice was expanded to include allied health professionals. This generated a strong response and created another opportunity for GPs and allied health practitioners to build relationships.
For MAHAC Chair and dietitian Leanne Baulch, those connections matter.
“Opportunities to network, like the Allied Health Forum, reduce isolation. It builds connections and community, and I don’t think you can put a value on that. Ultimately, I think patients benefit when allied health professionals are connected with other health professionals in our region.”
The longer-term ambition is stronger integration across primary care, enabling allied health professionals to work to their full scope and helping patients receive more connected, multidisciplinary care closer to home.
“I’d love to see allied health embedded in primary care, with GPs and allied health professionals regularly coming together as a multidisciplinary team,” Ms Baulch said. “When we understand what each other can offer and work together around the person, the outcomes for patients are going to improve. That’s ultimately what we’re all here for.”
Be a Health Hero program held in Leeton and Griffith, May 2026