New health initiative to connect care and ease pressure on Northern Sydney’s GPs
A bold new health initiative is taking shape in Northern Sydney, aiming to transform the way patients access care and support, while easing the growing pressure on GPs and hospitals.
The Northern Sydney Wellbeing Collaborative, led by the Sydney North Health Network, is a community-focused effort to build a more connected, responsive, and person-centred health system. The model will bring together local GPs, mental health providers, aged care services, and social support networks under one roof through a series of local “Wellbeing Hubs.”
The move comes as general practitioners across Australia report being overwhelmed by increasingly complex patient needs, made worse by long wait times for hospital and specialist services and financial barriers to private care. A recent Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) survey found that many GPs are having to fill gaps left by an overstretched system.
Dr Margaret Byrce, a long-time GP in Gladesville, says things have changed dramatically over the past 30 years.
“Chronic disease and community service needs were minimal when I started,” she said. “Now, people are living longer, with more complex health needs. They want care that is fast, accessible, and fair – but the system isn’t keeping up.”
She believes collaborative care, centred around prevention and teamwork, is the future. “To meet today’s challenges, we need a cross-service, community-led health system – and GPs must be at the centre of this transformation.”
The Wellbeing Collaborative plans to tackle the fragmentation between medical, community, and social services – helping patients avoid the stress of navigating a maze of disconnected providers. Instead, care will be coordinated and more proactive, reducing the need for emergency visits and hospital stays.
Northern Sydney is home to the fourth-highest number of residential aged care facilities in Australia, and nearly 30% of the population comes from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. These unique demographics are being factored into the design of the Wellbeing Hubs, which will be located in Ryde, Hornsby, and the Northern Beaches.
Sydney North Health Network CEO Kevin Barrow says the initiative will give communities care that truly reflects their needs.
“This is about building a model of healthcare that is coordinated, local, and patient-focused,” he said. “We want to make it easier for people to get the support they need, without having to jump through bureaucratic hoops.”
The Collaborative has already brought together more than 200 contributors – including health professionals, aged care providers, local businesses, academics, and community members – to shape the new model. A recent webinar introduced the project to local GPs, nurses, and allied health workers, inviting them to take part in shaping the future of care in their area.
The first Wellbeing Hubs are expected to launch in July 2026, with community and clinician co-design beginning soon.
For more information or to get involved, visit sydneynorthhealthnetwork.org.au/northern-sydney-wellbeing-collaborative.
