In a bid to strengthen joint regional governance and enhance place-based health outcomes, Impact Co. recently developed a Joint Regional Governance Framework, Thought Leadership Paper and Summary Report for the Queensland - Commonwealth Partnership (commissioned by Queensland Health’s Reform Office). This work aimed to create a strong evidence base and framework to better support the health collaboration and partnership approaches necessary for improving the trajectory of health outcomes in Queensland.

The problem-solving process

1. Listening deeply to perspectives across Queensland’s health sector

This engagement sought to create deliverables and programs of work for the future that would strengthen collective leadership across:

• Consumers
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ATSICCHOs)
• Primary Health Networks (PHNs)
• Queensland’s Hospital and Health Services (HHSs); and other key health service provider stakeholders, including the Commonwealth’s Department of Health and Aged Care and Queensland Department of Health.

To do this, we engaged a selection of executive health leaders, and collectively consulted via thought leadership governance groups. Key stakeholders groups included the Queensland – Commonwealth Partnership Leadership Committee (‘the PaL Committee’), the Queensland – Commonwealth Partnership Steering Committee (‘the PaSCo’), the PHN CEO Collective , HHS Health Service Chief Executive Forum, ATSICCHO leaders, consumer representatives and wider consumer and First Nations stakeholders. We also worked alongside our partners, Simon Cottrell and Kathy Hilyard to draw on their expertise in strengthening collaborative, impactful and strategic relationships across the health system.

It was important that the current Queensland context, levels of maturity, local challenges and progress made to date were factored into the design of the framework. Additionally, we needed to understand the different perspectives of each of the stakeholders, including their own plans for regional collaboration and identified areas for improvement.

2. Identifying stakeholder perspectives

Through this engagement, we identified that additional consideration for the different perspectives of Queensland’s health stakeholder groups was required, including where their current plans and strategies already sought to promote regional collaboration and partnership.

Based on this insight, Impact Co. developed an additionalStakeholder MessagingReportto capture each stakeholder cohorts’ current concerns, vision and priorities, and the messaging they would need to hear to promote their input and buy-in at a regional governance level. Identifying the synergies and nuances in their perspectives will support the Reform Office to successfully engage senior stakeholders and create the buy-in needed for success.

3. Harnessing opportunities for better sector collaboration

The final Regional Governance Framework was delivered alongside a longer Thought Leadership Paper, and an accompanying Summary Report. Importantly this provides a clear evidence-based framework for regional partnerships and the needed elements for success. It also includes literature regarding lessons learned from the Australian and international experience, and frameworks and models that assist in providing tailored approaches for each of Queensland’s diverse regions.

This Summary Report was endorsed by the PaSCo in August 2024, with future plans to progress system enabling pieces via the QCP to support regional implementation of the Framework. The thought leadership and identified programs of work are expected to play a significant role in Queensland's efforts to harness the opportunities presented by the forthcoming revised National Health Reform Agreement.

A catalyst for long-term change

Importantly, this project demonstrates the power of effective stakeholder engagement across government agencies to bring together nuanced perspectives and drive meaningful reform in Queensland.

The report was published in November 2024, and we believe it offers valuable insights for anyone committed to advancing sustainable, impactful regional health outcomes. We’re hopeful this framework will be a catalyst for change—not just in Queensland but across Australia.