Community and clinical voices help shape Brisbane South PHN priorities
Members of Brisbane South PHN’s Community Advisory Council and Clinical Advisory Council have met with the Board for their annual joint meeting, bringing local community and clinical perspectives into discussions about the organisation’s priorities and work across the region.
Local voices helping shape primary healthcare
The councils meet separately throughout the year, while the annual joint meeting provides an opportunity for members to engage directly with the Brisbane South PHN Board and executive leadership team.
This year's discussions focused on some of the region's most complex and pressing challenges, including service access and navigation, dementia and frailty, mental health, and alcohol and other drugs (AOD).
Board Chair Kay Toshach also outlined the organisation’s priorities for 2026 and the operating environment in which Brisbane South PHN will continue its planning, commissioning and partnership work.
‘The Board places significant value on the advice and insights provided by our Clinical and Community Advisory Councils,’ Ms Toshach said.
‘Council members’ perspectives help ensure our strategic priorities remain grounded in local needs and inform where we focus our influence, partnerships and investment.’
- Kay Toshach | Chair, Brisbane South PHN Board
The focus areas for discussion at the workshop reflected Brisbane South PHN’s existing strategic priorities, the Brisbane South Joint Regional Needs Assessment, previous consultation findings and matters raised through the councils.
Brisbane South PHN Director and General Practitioner, Dr Tanusha Ramaloo, said the joint meeting demonstrated the value of bringing different voices together to tackle shared challenges.
‘Being my first joint meeting, what surprised and reassured me through discussions was not only alignment on needs and potential solutions from both councils, but also how different perspectives and insights brought to the table were embraced,’ Dr Ramaloo said.
Community and clinical advice throughout the year
The Community Advisory Council and Clinical Advisory Council form part of Brisbane South PHN’s governance structure and provide formal advice to the Board, Executive and senior leadership teams.
Members contribute perspectives from consumers, carers, community organisations and a range of primary healthcare professions. Their advice helps Brisbane South PHN consider how local needs and experiences relate to its planning, commissioning, partnerships and other areas of work.
The annual joint workshop complements this ongoing role providing a forum for council members, Board directors and Brisbane South PHN leaders to exchange insights and perspectives across clinical, community and organisational contexts.
Interested in joining an advisory council?
Brisbane South PHN recruits Community Advisory Council and Clinical Advisory Council members through an expression-of-interest process, usually opening from September each year.
These paid advisory positions provide a formal way for consumers, carers, community representatives and primary care clinicians to contribute local knowledge, experience and expertise to decisions that shape Brisbane South PHN's work.
Visit the Brisbane South PHN website or subscribe to Primary Health Matters for updates to learn more about the next recruitment round.
Helpful links
Further information on our Board and advisory councils: