#CEOdesk | Nepean Blue Mountains PHN

Sep 30 2025

Taking the Next Step on Your Wellbeing Journey

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, ‘Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey’ encourages people to recognise that wellbeing is a journey that looks different for everyone.

Sep 25 2025

Help Patients Think About Their Health as well as Their Homes this Bushfire Season

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

This past weekend, the NSW Rural Fire Service launched its annual ‘Get Ready’ campaign, encouraging people in bushfire prone areas to prepare their homes ahead of the season.

Sep 19 2025

Highlighting Regional Commitment to the Future of Children’s Health

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Last weekend, we were proud to see more than 125 local health professionals including GPs, registrars, practice nurses and allied health workers attend the 2025 Nepean Blue Mountains Clinical Paediatric Conference.

Sep 08 2025

Local Suicide Prevention Group Fosters Connection

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Changing the Narrative on Suicide, is the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this Wednesday 10 September. It’s a call to reduce stigma by encouraging openness, empathy and action to ensure those who are struggling feel heard, supported and connected.

Related tags: suicide prevention

Aug 26 2025

International Overdose Awareness Day: Free Support is Available

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

This Sunday, 31 August, is International Overdose Awareness Day. This campaign began in Australia in 2001 as a small gathering of people affected by overdose and is now the largest annual event of its kind.

Related tags: Alcohol & other Drugs (AOD), Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Penrith

Aug 03 2025

Shining a light on local connector programs this Loneliness Awareness Week

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Loneliness Awareness Week, which runs from 4 to 10 August, is a timely reminder of the profound impact loneliness and social isolation can have on our health and wellbeing.

Jul 10 2025

NAIDOC 2025 - The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

This year, NAIDOC Week marks the powerful milestone of 50 years honouring and elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture and resilience.

Jul 03 2025

Celebrating Elisa Manley's 20 Years of Service

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Last week we celebrated Elisa Manley, Executive Manager Strategy & Integration's retirement over a beautiful high tea.

Jun 06 2025

Renewing our Commitment to Strengthening the Healthcare System

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

I’m proud to share that we’ve reaffirmed our strong and collaborative partnership with the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) through a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Related tags: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, Aboriginal health, Integrating Care, Mental Health, NBMLHD

May 27 2025

Bridging Now to Next - Reconciliation Week 2025

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Yesterday our staff celebrated and acknowledged National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between our past, present and future, and calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead while allowing the lessons learned from the past to guide us.

Related tags: Aboriginal, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, Aboriginal health, Reconciliation Action Plan

May 16 2025

GPs Receive Training to Spot Hidden Signs of Domestic Violence

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

May marks the start of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month. It's a time to encourage individuals and communities to speak out against violence, empower people to work together for prevention, and highlight available support services.

May 06 2025

Be a Local Health Hero: Get Vaccinated Before Winter Hits

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

As winter approaches, it's important to take simple steps that can make a big difference, like staying up to date with your vaccinations. Winter is a peak time for respiratory illnesses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), all of which can spread quickly through families, workplaces, and communities.

Related tags: vaccination, Winter is Coming!

Apr 14 2025

Is your Doctor Closed this Easter? Avoid a Trip to the Emergency Department…

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Do you know where to go if your doctor is closed over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends?
After hours or urgent care services offer an important alternative to the emergency department for urgent, but not life-threatening, injuries or illnesses, and in cases where your regular GP may not be open.

Related tags: After Hours services, Blue Mountains, community health, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Penrith

Apr 14 2025

Helping Shape the Future of Ageing

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

We were pleased to host our inaugural Healthy Ageing Conference at the Western Sydney Conference Centre in Penrith on Saturday 5 April. Over 100 health professionals attended, including general practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals.

Related tags: Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, older people, Penrith, prevention

Mar 13 2025

Are You Good to Go? National Advance Care Planning Week

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

This Advance Care Planning Week, which runs from 17 March to 23 March, we’re encouraging everyone, regardless of age or health status, to start thinking about their future healthcare plans.

Related tags: Advance Care Planning, End of Life, End of Life care

Feb 27 2025

Medicare Mental Health Centres – New Name, New Look, Same Service

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

As announced in the 2024-25 Budget, existing Head to Health adult mental health centres are being rebranded as Medicare Mental Health Centres.

Related tags: Mental Health

Jan 22 2025

Have Your Say in Our Suicide Prevention Training Survey

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Suicidal distress is a human response to overwhelming suffering, and we all can provide immediate help to people who are in suicidal distress.

Related tags: Mental Health, suicide

Dec 19 2024

Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season!

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

As Christmas approaches and many of us are busy wrapping presents to give to our loved ones, we're wrapping up our projects for the year, reflecting on everything we've achieved in 2024 and preparing for a successful 2025.

Related tags: Blue Mountains, bushfires, community, disaster, Hawkesbury, headspace, Lithgow, Mental Health, Penrith

Nov 28 2024

Your GP can be a safe place to seek support for domestic, family or sexual violence

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

We are proud to support the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign, running from 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December which is Human Rights Day. This global initiative aims to raise awareness of domestic, family, and sexual violence, as well as highlight available support services for those affected.

Related tags: Blue Mountains, community, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Mental Health, Penrith

Nov 25 2024

Right Care, First Time, Where You Live

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

On Friday 8 November, I attended the last workshop for Right Care, First Time, Where You Live. We are proud to be part of this research program that is focussed on improving the mental health of young people across Australia.

Related tags: Blue Mountains, community, disaster, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Mental Health, Penrith

Nov 22 2024

Help for your mental health is just a click away

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

We’re excited to announce that our Mental Health Help website has recently been upgraded.

Nov 21 2024

Our 2023-2024 Annual Report

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

I am pleased to share our 2023-24 Annual Report, which showcases the outstanding efforts of our team and the positive difference our organisation is making to the health and wellbeing of our community.

Oct 08 2024

We are encouraging locals to have their say in our Community Health and Wellbeing Survey

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

We are asking the community for their feedback and insights on their individual health experiences across the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith local government areas.

Related tags: community

Oct 03 2024

Mental Health Month – Let’s Talk About It

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme ‘Let’s Talk About It’ encourages self-reflection and open conversations about our mental health and overall wellbeing.

Related tags: Mental Health

Oct 01 2024

Local domestic and family violence program expands to supporting victim survivors of sexual assault

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

On Thursday, 26 September, together with Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP, we launched the expansion of the Care and Connect domestic and family violence program to include sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

Sep 26 2024

New Drug and Alcohol Support Service for Hawkesbury

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

This morning we had the privilege of visiting the new WHOS Hawkesbury, alongside Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP.

Related tags: Alcohol & other Drugs (AOD), Hawkesbury

Sep 19 2024

Check in on Your Mental Wellbeing this ‘Get Ready’ Weekend

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

This ‘Get Ready’ weekend, we are encouraging the community to prepare their mental wellbeing, as well as their homes, for the upcoming bushfire season.

Related tags: Mental Health

Sep 17 2024

Health Professionals Gather for the 2024 Nepean Blue Mountains Clinical Paediatric Conference

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Over 150 local GPs, GP registrars, practice nurses and allied health professionals gathered in Leura on Saturday 7 September, together with clinicians from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, for the highly anticipated 2024 Nepean Blue Mountains Clinical Paediatric Conference.

Sep 12 2024

RUOK? Today, tomorrow, any day

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Today, our staff acknowledged RUOK? Day with an afternoon tea, creating a space for us to pause and connect over important conversations about our wellbeing.

Related tags: Mental Health

Aug 01 2024

Strategic Plan 2024-2029

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

After extensive consultation with staff, stakeholders and community representatives over past 12 months, we are pleased to launch our new 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.

Related tags: 2024-2029, Plan, Strategic, Strategic Plan

Jul 17 2024

Urgent Care Service opens in North Richmond

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

This week we celebrate the opening of our NSW Health funded Urgent Care Service in North Richmond. This new Urgent Care Service will provide people in the Hawkesbury better access urgent but non life-threatening healthcare, when their normal GP is unavailable, and help to avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department.

Related tags: Care, in, North, opens, Richmond, Service, Urgent, urgent care clinic

Apr 22 2024

Innovative Youth Mental Health Program Will Help Provide the Right Care, First Time, Where you Live

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Many young people in our region are struggling with their mental health and can find it difficult to access, navigate and engage with the services and programs that are available. Demand for mental health services is high, with general practice data for our region indicating that 14% of patients between 4-17 years have a coded mental health disorder. Population health data also indicates that our region has higher mental illness and suicide rates compared to the NSW state average.

Related tags: Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Mental Health, Penrith, youth

Apr 15 2024

Supporting Our Community Through Traumatic Times

Posted by Kate Tye, Acting CEO

The events of this past weekend have affected us in an unprecedented way. We are conscious of the impact of what occurred in Bondi Junction, not only on those directly affected, but also on our community as a whole in NSW, as we grapple to understand the gravity of this event. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and our thoughts are with those impacted firsthand on the scene as they come to terms with the impact of the situation.

Related tags: Blue Mountains, community, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Mental Health, Penrith

Mar 12 2024

Live For Today, But Plan For Tomorrow

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

National Advance Care Planning Week is from Monday 18 March to Sunday 24 March and we are encouraging everyone, no matter your age or current state of health, to discuss your future healthcare plans with your loved ones and health providers.

Related tags: Advance Care Planning, End of Life, End of Life care, National Advance Care Planning Week, NSW Seniors Festival

Mar 05 2024

headspace Hawkesbury Officially Opens

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

We were thrilled to officially open the new headspace Hawkesbury centre on Friday 1 March, together with the Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, and Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie.

Related tags: Hawkesbury, headspace, Mental Health

Feb 20 2024

Community Celebrates Flood Recovery at Festival on the Fields

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

On Saturday 10 February 2024, over 400 Hawkesbury locals enjoyed the Festival on the Fields event at Cougar Park, home of the Colo Soccer Football Club. This free event provided a well-deserved opportunity for the local community to come together and focus on some of the positive steps taken towards recovery following the devastation of the floods.

Related tags: community, Hawkesbury, Mental Health, Well-being Grants

Dec 21 2023

Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season.

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

It has been another busy year as we continued to learn what it means to return to 'a new normal' after the pandemic. In our region, many of our residents continue to feel the effects of the pandemic, and the multiple natural disasters we have experienced,on both their physical and mental health.

Sep 20 2023

Taking University to the Streets of Katoomba

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

On Monday, we were proud to officially open The Street University Katoomba, together with Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman and Ted Noffs Foundation CEO, Matt Noffs. Elisa Manley, Executive Manager Strategy & Integration and several other staff, represented our organisation at this event.

Sep 05 2023

Introducing Initial Assessment and Referral GP Training

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

We're excited to launch our Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Training program to assist GPs in our region in learning more about IAR and how it can benefit clinicians and patients.

Related tags: IAR training

Aug 14 2023

Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Opens in Our Medical Penrith

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Today, we were pleased to officially open the newest Commonwealth-funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Penrith

Related tags: medicare urgent care clinic, penrith urgent care clinic, urgent care clinic

Jul 04 2023

headspace Hawkesbury plans well underway with a site now secured

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

In an exciting milestone, a suitable site has now officially been secured for headspace Hawkesbury which is due to open in December.

Related tags: Hawkesbury, headspace, Mental Health

Jun 30 2023

Have Your Say in the GP Workforce Planning and Prioritisation Survey

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

Over time, we have seen a reduced number of registrar placements in our region. This has been due to less medical graduates entering Australian General Practice Training Programs (AGPTP).

Related tags: GPs, Workforce Support

May 15 2023

Be a Health Hero this Winter and Make Sure Your COVID-19 and Flu Vaccinations are Up-To-Date!

Posted by Lizz Reay, CEO

As winter approaches, we are urging the community to make sure their COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are up-to-date.

Related tags: COVID-19, Flu, Immunisation

Working with GPs & health professionalsfor better health in our community.

Provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network

Working with GPs & health professionals
for better health in our community.