Our Impact: Report to the Community

Approximately 40,000 Victorians receive treatment for addiction to alcohol and other drugs (AOD) each year. AOD consumption can significantly impact not only the individual but also their family, social connections and the community.

Alcohol consumption rates in south east Melbourne are consistent with Victorian rates and have remained steady, with higher risky drinking in the local government areas (LGAs) of Bayside, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula and Stonnington. 

Port Phillip and Cardinia have the highest alcohol-related care episodes (at 268.3 and 195.6 per 100,000 residents, respectively), while Port Phillip and Greater Dandenong have the highest illicit drug-related care episodes (at 350 and 289 per 100,000 residents, respectively). 

The 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census reported that 1 in 6 residents in south east Melbourne was aged 65 years and older. The Mornington Peninsula local government area (LGA) had the largest population of people aged 65 years or over, followed by Bayside and Kingston. Cardinia had the smallest older population, yet this was still more than 1 in 10 people in the LGA. 

Most older Australians have multiple chronic conditions, with 8 in 10 having at least one chronic condition, and 3 in 10 having 3 or more chronic conditions. This makes them more likely to use the healthcare system, accounting for 1 in 5 emergency department presentations nationally, and highlights the importance of SEMPHN supporting primary care where care is more affordable. 

Older people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, identify as First Nations people, are LGBTIQA+, or are living with disability may face additional challenges of social and cultural isolation as well as structural barriers to accessing care.

The Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation are the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters and skies of SEMPHN’s catchment. 

The 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census estimated that First Nations people make up 0.8% (n=12,114) of the region’s population.

SEMPHN’s analysis of First Nations data, including information from the most recent 2021 Census, highlighted that across most south east Melbourne local government areas (LGAs), the rates of most chronic diseases in First Nations people were higher than the Victorian average. It also showed that mental health conditions were the most prevalent chronic condition among First Nations people across almost all LGAs in the region and across Victoria.

One of SEMPHN’s core functions is building capacity within south east Melbourne’s primary health care workforce. 

To do this, we offer a variety education opportunities, both in-person and online, including training, digital resources, networking and coaching. We work closely with our providers to ensure these opportunities are focused on, and targeted to, the region’s needs. 

In addition to improving local knowledge and service quality, our education encourages innovation and coordination across the health system by bringing the region’s primary health care professionals together. 

This supports our efforts to create better outcomes and an improved experience for consumers, their carers and families, and the south east Melbourne community.

Digital health describes technology used to treat patients or to analyse and report electronic health records. At SEMPHN, we plan, deliver and promote the adoption and meaningful use of digital health solutions in primary and aged care to improve health outcomes for people living in south east Melbourne. 

We engage external stakeholders to ensure the use of technology in healthcare is both considered and suitable for the intended purpose, and offer general practices support and access to digital health services and software.