NWMPHN has a role in coordinating emergency response support. By collaborating with support services and affected communities, we respond quickly to emerging needs.

Central to our focus is ensuring that people impacted by a crisis can access support that is safe, culturally meaningful, trusted and effective.

Recent initiatives reflect our commitment to working alongside health and social service and community organisations to deliver targeted support.

Coordinating care after unneeded procedures exposed

In 2026 a major media investigation revealed multiple allegations of unneeded procedures conducted by now-former gynaecologist, Dr Simon Gordon. 

In partnership with the State and Commonwealth governments, NWMPHN played a key coordination and system navigation role in response to these issues. 

The role included commissioning a dedicated Commonwealth-funded Care Navigator service in partnership with South Eastern Melbourne and Eastern Melbourne PHNs, thus providing a single point of contact for affected women. 

The service enabled consistent, trauma-informed and person-centred support to affected patients, helping each to understand the often complex primary, specialist and hospital care systems. 

It offered care coordination, system navigation, referral support, patient education and ongoing virtual or in-person follow-up. 

The service worked closely with the Women’s Health Victoria endometriosis and pelvic surgery concerns line.   

Our role in the childcare emergency response

In the second half of 2025 Victoria Police laid more than 150 abuse charges against a childcare worker. 

NWMPHN's response to the widespread shock and concern that resulted reflected its broader responsibility for health emergency preparedness, coordination and support across primary care. 

We activated our emergency management arrangements and participated in daily coordination with state and commonwealth government agencies and health services. 

We supported primary care providers and some Urgent Care Clinics to increase capacity to undertake required testing. We also coordinated communication and guidance for general practice, monitored emerging issues affecting families and service providers, and helped ensure a consistent regional health care response. 

Our role supporting communities impacted by the Middle East crisis

NWMPHN plays an important role in identifying emerging needs and commissioning timely, culturally responsive services that strengthen community wellbeing. 

Starting in 2024, in response to the impacts on Victorian communities of conflict in the Middle East, NWMPHN and South Eastern Melbourne PHN commissioned culturally specific support activities. 

NWMPHN extended the funding in its Enhancing Muslim and Arabic Wellbeing program, delivered by the Centre for Muslim Wellbeing, to support people and families experiencing mental health distress, grief and uncertainty. 

Delivered through community-led approaches, the program focused on building mental health literacy, reducing stigma, strengthening community connections and improving access to culturally safe support. 

Wellbeing events, leadership development activities, advocacy initiatives and digital resources helped community members feel more confident discussing mental health and seeking support. 

More than 380 people participated in these events, while the Mental Wellbeing Fair, organised by Six Degrees at the University of Melbourne Market Hall, attracted more than 240 attendees.   

The program also strengthened the capability of community leaders and mainstream organisations to respond to mental health needs. 

Through communities of practice, mental health first aid training and cultural intelligence workshops, participants built the knowledge, confidence and connections needed to support community wellbeing beyond the life of the project. 

The provider has also developed a postvention toolkit, to build understandings of culturally responsive approaches for support in Islamic communities following mental health related deaths.