Co-design in Primary Health Networks
Co-design is an approach that involves stakeholders in the planning and decision-making process, ideally resulting in programs and services that are informed by user needs.
But what does co-design look like in the Primary Health Network (PHN) commissioning environment? Is it the same or different to co-designing programs and services within a service provider context?
Below, we'll explore what co-design looks like in the PHN commissioning context when compared to the service provider context, define how the Department of Health and Ageing has directed PHNs to use co-design and outline several PHNs who are leading the way and providing helpful resources.
What does co-design look like in the commissioning context?
While co-design should adhere to the same principles regardless of the setting or context, it can focus on slightly different things depending on whether you are co-designing in the commissioning or service provider context.
In the context of commissioning, co-design is primarily aimed at preparing to engage with service providers to commission a solution. Stakeholders work together to define the objectives of a service based on user needs. This collaborative effort often serves as a foundation for creating service specifications, such as a Request For Proposal (RFP).
The co-design process in a commissioning context is typically principle-based, allowing room for service providers to propose solutions that draw on their expertise. This approach ensures that the procured service will align well with community needs while offering flexibility for innovation from service providers.
In contrast, co-design in a service delivery context usually targets a new service model that a provider has already been funded to operationalise or an existing service that requires improvement to meet users' needs.
Here, the emphasis is generally on the finer details of how the service operates day-to-day. Stakeholders delve into specific elements of a service model such as roles, workflows, and touchpoints. This level of detail helps refine the service to meet user expectations and operational requirements, better.
How are PHNs encouraged by the Department of Health to use co-design?
The Department of Health strongly recommends Primary Health Networks adopt a co-design approach for commissioning. As the Department states, co-design "brings together various stakeholders as a mechanism for better informing and supporting commissioning by harnessing a range of views, ideas and experience."
Co-design gathers valuable input from a diverse array of stakeholders, including specific community groups and service providers. It aims to go "beyond consultation" by encouraging active contributions from stakeholders throughout the various stages of commissioning.
Co-design can bring significant benefits in the PHN setting, according to the Department. It can "help shape thinking and inform decision-making processes", leading to "ongoing improvements in cultural safety, cultural appropriateness, and patient-centred care." Additionally, co-design can foster improved stakeholder relationships and promote innovation.
That said, the Department does recognise that co-design may not always be feasible due to limitations such as time and resources.
You can read more about the Department of Health and Aged Care's position on encouraging PHNs to utilise co-design by clicking the image below.
Where can I find helpful co-design resources for Primary Health Networks?
Many PHNs cover where 'co-design' sits in their broader commissioning framework. Some PHNs have taken this a step further and published co-design guides and toolkits that would be of value to other PHNs embarking on a similar process.
If you are looking for co-design inspiration in the PHN environment, we suggest checking out Murrumbidgee PHN's 'Co-design Toolkit' and Western Victoria PHN's 'A Guide to Co-design'. These resources could provide valuable insights and help you in your co-design efforts.
Murrumbidgee PHN's Co-design Toolkit
The Co-design Toolkit by Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) aims to foster collaboration among various stakeholders, including communities and providers. It serves as a guide for the MPHN team to lead and facilitate co-design efforts.
The toolkit focuses on enhancing primary health care through collaborative solutions. Although the toolkit accommodates a range of stakeholders, it is not specifically tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. For these groups, additional culturally specific resources are recommended.
The toolkit is user-friendly, organised for easy navigation and offers a variety of co-design resources and templates:
activity plan
stakeholder map
email templates
survey questions
interview questions
vision workshop agenda
solutions design workshop agenda
logistics checklist
creating a model of care
post implementation review
Click on the image above to view this toolkit!
Western Victoria PHN: a guide to co-design
Western Victoria PHN developed A Guide to Co-design that they describe as "an easy guide to working with other people in a genuinely collaborative and creative way to design programs and initiatives based on real human needs."
The guide aims to aid WVPHN in incorporating a co-design approach during the commissioning process. It serves as a tool for working closely with the target audience and relevant partners. While it complements quantitative data, its primary focus is understanding what truly matters to people.
The guide is structured around four key phases:
Learn: The initial stage involves exploring various aspects to pinpoint the right problem. This helps in crafting the right program with the appropriate people.
Design: In this phase, the program is created and tested, keeping the target audience at its core.
Do: Here, the focus is on working with partners to roll out the program and achieve the set outcomes.
Review: The final stage involves assessing the program's effectiveness to inform future projects.
Overall, this resource offers practical advice for PHNs looking to engage in authentic co-design.
Read more about this toolkit by clicking the image above.
Additional PHN co-design resources
Co-design is a valuable approach for both commissioning and service delivery contexts within the PHN environment. It allows for meaningful collaboration between stakeholders, tailoring services to meet community needs while leaving room for innovation.
For PHNs looking to adopt or refine their co-design processes, the Department of Health provides clear directives and supports its benefits, such as improved cultural safety and stakeholder relationships. Resources like Murrumbidgee PHN's 'Co-design Toolkit' and Western Victoria PHN's 'a Guide to Co-design' offer practical tools to guide your efforts.
For a deeper dive into preparing and executing a successful co-design process, we recommend our blogs "A step-by-step guide to managing an effective co-design process", and "Understanding your organisational readiness to undertake your next ‘co-design’ process – overview." These will equip you with the foundational knowledge to make tracks on your next co-design journey.
Alternatively, head to our co-design home page to learn how we could support you in your co-design process.
