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Clinical Networks Program

Victoria is committed to the ongoing development of the health system, to support the objective of achieving the best health and wellbeing for all Victorians. A component of the health system that enables health services to provide high quality and appropriate services is clinical networks.

Clinical networks are collaboratives bringing together health professionals, patients, consumers, carers and organisations to work across boundaries, applying principles of cooperation and partnership and focusing on patients to improve access, equity and quality of health care. Networks create awareness that all areas are linked within a coordinated system, with each part playing an important role.

Network history

The clinical network program was established in Victoria in response to recommendations from the Health Options Review of 2007, where networks were identified as one of a number of strategies to manage demand for health services and escalating costs. The networks were proposed as a mechanism for strengthening clinical and service provision, by bringing together groups of individuals from different organisations and professional groups to drive system change and improvement in the operational effectiveness and efficiency of public health services.

Since then, the department has established a number of clinical networks. Each comprises a range of stakeholders, including consumers and clinicians with the ability to influence the development and implementation of evidence based practice. The initial focus was on high-volume, high-risk clinical services, with networks now in the specialty areas of:

Clinical networks are still a relatively new concept for Victoria, so are at various stages of development compared to networks in other Australian states and internationally.  

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Network to Network 2010 - the inaugural clinical networks conference March 17-19 2010

Related Websites
Health Networks Western Australia
The Clinical Practice Improvement Centre (CPIC) Queensland
Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce New South Wales
State-wide Clinical Networks South Australia
Clinical Networks Scotland

Downloads
PDF icon Clinical Network News - August 2010 (PDF file, 336kb)
PDF icon Clinical Networks Framework (PDF file, 922kb)



Last updated: 13 August, 2010
This web site is managed and authorised by the Clinical Networks and Service Development Unit of the Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services Division of the Metropolitian Health and Aged Care Services Division of the Victorian State Government, Department of Health, Australia

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