Allied Health and Primary Healthcare Nursing Workforce Framework: Hunter New England Central Coast PHN.

About

• Project title: Allied Health and Primary Healthcare Nursing Workforce Framework:

• Client: Hunter New England Central Coast PHN.

• Status: Completed June 2025

Background

HNECC PHN identified the need for a structured approach to allied health and nursing workforce planning in primary care. Workforce shortages, growing demand, and changing models of care are affecting access and sustainability across the region. Beacon Strategies was engaged to develop a workforce framework that could inform future planning and investment decisions. 

Approach

The project involved a structured process across six phases: project establishment, situational analysis, supply data analysis, demand data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and framework development. Our approach combined regional, state and national datasets, detailed interviews, and practical insights from service providers to produce a framework aligned with local priorities and the needs of the health workforce.

Outcome

The outcome was a Primary Care Workforce Framework that defines strategic priorities, principles and focus areas for allied health and practice nursing workforce development. The Framework includes practical guidance for implementation and is supported by data insights, stakeholder perspectives, and tools to track progress over time. It positions the PHN to make coordinated, evidence-based decisions about future investment in workforce.

Link to our vision ‘a more impactful social purpose sector’:

This work contributes to our vision by supporting more effective workforce planning and development in primary care. It enables the PHN to strengthen access, equity and quality in healthcare by aligning workforce investment with regional health needs and service gaps.

Explore more of our work

Beacon Strategies supports PHNs to undertake regional primary care workforce planning. Check out more of our Health Planning work here.