Central and Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network

What is CES Allied Health Network?

CES Allied Health Network (Central and Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network) is a Purpose Led Organisation for allied health professionals in the Central and Eastern Sydney region providing Advocacy, Connection, Information and Education. Our organisation is supported by CESPHN (Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network). Both networks work closely for the common goals of improving health outcomes of people living in the central and eastern region of Sydney and providing support to a diverse range of primary and allied health professionals.

The main roles of the CES Allied Health Network are:

ADVOCACY –The CES Allied Health Network board represent the views and positions of members at National and State levels to advocate for all allied health professions. Members of CES Allied Health Network are informed by regular emails about upcoming matters that will affect daily practice and patient management. For example, the CES Allied Health Network board represented members in a Quality and Healthcare Standards consultation process ensuring the small to large, allied health practices were represented.

CONNECTION – Allied health professionals working in small to medium sized practices often feel disconnected from colleagues, health policy and the Australian healthcare system. CES Allied Health Network provides a connection between practitioners and the broader Australian healthcare community by encouraging members to become involved in important decision-making processes.

INFORMATION – Information about important legislation, policies, grants, practice support that will affect allied health professionals are communicated to members regularly. Important information is communicated by email, newsletter, conferences and seminars and webinars.

EDUCATION – CES Allied Health Network members are invited to regular Continuing Professional Development events via webinars, seminars, and conferences arranged by CESPHN. These CPD events are included in the annual CES Allied Health Network membership at no extra cost. A broad range of topics are covered by the CPD events to suit all allied health professionals.

Who can become a CES Allied Health Network member?

The Central and Eastern Sydney (CES) catchment spans 626 square kilometres. Our region stretches from Strathfield to Sutherland, as far east as Bondi, and also includes Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.

The Local Government Areas (LGA) included are: Bayside, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury – Bankstown (part), Georges River, Inner West, Strathfield, City of Sydney, Woollahra, Waverley, Randwick, Sutherland Shire.

Membership of Central and Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network is open to the following allied health professionals whose practice is within the central and eastern Sydney region:

• Audiologists
• Chiropractors
• Dentists
• Diabetes educators
• Dietitians
• Exercise physiologists
• Mental health nurses
• Occupational therapists
• Optometrists
• Osteopaths
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Podiatrists
• Psychologists
• Social workers (mental health accredited)
• Speech Pathologists

The CES Allied Health Network is not meant to replace other peak body associations as the benefits of membership are different. For example, specific allied health peak body associations provide alliances with professional indemnity insurers and specific information for each allied health profession. CES Allied Health Network does not provide such benefits, rather CES Allied Health Network’s role is to advocacy for all allied health professions at local, state and national levels.

Membership Benefits

CES Allied Health Network offers:

• Low-cost membership ($110 for the financial year)
• Networking and inter-professional communication with peers and GP’s
• Strong advocacy for a team care approach to patient management
• Multidisciplinary networking through seminars and meetings
• Tailored CPD seminars/ webinars focused on allied health interests
• Access to past webinars
• Peer Group Learning opportunities

Regular targeted communication with members via:

• Newsletters
• Information evenings
• Networking events
• General meetings
• Consultation with local health professionals
• Liaising with professional bodies on local issues

In addition to the above benefits, CES Allied Health Network members can be more actively involved in providing advice on a range of State and Commonwealth health initiatives:

• Members are encouraged to provide feedback on public consultation papers, community health initiatives and large-scale government projects that affect patients and practices of allied health professionals. This feedback is easily directed to the CES Allied Health Network Board Directors who will advocate on behalf of its members, to health and government organisations, in a coherent and unified way.
• Members can nominate as a Board Director and other committee positions
• Voting at AGM and General Meetings is a right of every CES Allied Health Network member. Members are informed of these opportunities through Expression of Interest through regular email blasts and newsletters.

Become a CES Allied Health Network Member

Annual membership is $110 inclusive of GST and covers the period from 1 July to 30 June.

Join now by completing the online registration process here.

Governance and CES Allied Health Network company structure

John Petrozzi, Chiropractic, Chair

PhD, BSc, MChiro

John has been a practicing chiropractor in the Inner West Leichhardt since 1999. He co-directs allied health centre, Body Mind Central, with his wife Suzi Petrozzi (clinical psychologist). John was awarded his PhD at The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health in 2021. Thesis title: Management of chronic low back pain with psychologically informed physical treatment. He is committed to improving the health outcomes of the central and eastern Sydney community in his involvement with CES Allied Health Network and CESPHN.

Carlene Smith AM, Pharmacy

BPharm, MPS, AACPA

Carlene is a Sydney-based Consultant Pharmacist and provides consulting services to pharmacies to implement professional pharmacy services. She has broad experience in Community Pharmacy, Aged Care, Change Management and Quality Assurance. In recent times she has conducted HMRs, RMMRs and managed the QUM program in Aged Care.

Nicole Lawson, Optometrist

Bachelor of Science (Vis.Sci), Bachelor of Optometry (Hons)

After graduating from UNSW in 2012, Nicole worked as an optometrist in an independent group of private practices providing the Sutherland Shire community with high quality eye care. In 2018, she became a Clinical Supervisor at the UNSW School of Optometry, contributing to the development of future optometrists. In early 2022, Nicole was offered a position as a Staff Optometrist at the Centre for Eye Health, a collaboration between UNSW and the Guide Dogs charity, focusing on reducing preventable blindness. In 2024, Nicole joined the Clinical Council at CESPHN, working alongside GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals to help address the regional health care needs.

Peter Walker, Clinical Psychologist

Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of NSW, Master of Clinical Psychology (Clinical)

Peter Walker is a clinical psychologist who has worked in a variety of roles across the Eastern Suburbs and Inner West of Sydney. Currently, Peter is the Principal Clinical Psychologist at the group psychology practice, Peter Walker and Associates, Clinical Psychologists, based in Randwick. He began his career working in the Mental Health Service at the Prince of Wales Hospital and worked in this service for 13 years. He is a casual lecturer at UNSW, UTS and Macquarie University, teaching into the Masters of Clinical Psychology programs on psychological approaches to major mental illness. He has also worked as an assessor for the Psychology Council of NSW, as a clinician at the Black Dog Institute, as a project manager for the Eastern Suburbs Division of General Practice and as a clinical supervisor of psychologists from a range of backgrounds. Currently, the majority of his work focusses on the provision of evidence-based psychological interventions for high-prevalence disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

Professor Sarah Dennis

Grad Assoc Physiotherapy (Sheffield) MSc Physiology (UCL) PhD Epidemiology (Queen Mary London) Grad Cert Educational Studies (University of Sydney)

Sarah is Professor of Allied Health at the University of Sydney and also holds a conjoint position in South West Sydney Local Health District. She has >20 years research experience in primary health care in both the UK and Australia.  Her research focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic conditions and especially the important role that allied health can play to improve health outcomes and quality of life. It also focuses on increasing equitable access to effective allied health interventions in primary care.

Suzi Petrozzi

Master of Clinical Psychology, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy

Suzi Petrozzi has worked for over twenty years as a clinical psychologist across community mental health and private practice sectors. Her initial years of practice were with adolescents, young people and their families focusing on prevention, early intervention and recovery. She then transitioned into private practice working with adults, adolescents and organisations, developing workshops, courses, retreats and online portals for client education, growth and personal development.

She co-directs Body Mind Central, an allied health practice, with her husband John Petrozzi who is a chiropractor. Suzi has worked alongside allied health practitioners since the start of her career and continues to see tremendous value a multidisciplinary approach brings to clients’ outcomes and wellbeing.