Key DOCUMENTS

Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) LGBTIQA+ Position Statement is committed to fostering inclusive, respectful, safe and equitable health care for all individuals, including people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or have innate variations of sex characteristics.

CESPHN recognizes that people who identify as LGBTIQA+ often experience poorer health outcomes due to discrimination, stigma, and barriers to accessing safe, non-discriminatory, and appropriate health care. As a Primary Health Network, CESPHN acknowledges its responsibility to address inequities and support the health and wellbeing of people from the diverse LGBTIQA+ communities living and working in the region.

Our Vision

A primary health care system where every person—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status—feels safe, respected, and supported in accessing services to achieve positive health outcomes. CESPHN proudly stands with LGBTIQA+ people and is committed to building a health system that is inclusive, affirming, and free from stigma and discrimination.

Our Commitment

• Equity in Access: Commitment to improving equitable access to safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive primary health care services for LGBTIQA+ people through advocacy and provider support
• Safe and Inclusive Practice: The promotion and delivery of training, education, and professional development will strengthen inclusive, affirming practice among general practitioners, allied health professionals, and commissioned services.
• Lived Experience and Engagement: The maintenance of respectful and ongoing engagement with LGBTIQA+ individuals, communities and organisations will occur, while ensuring all programs and services are co-designed (where possible), and have lived experience and community input in the development, implementation, and evaluation of projects.
• Health and Wellbeing: Acknowledge the higher rates of health challenges within the diverse LGBTIQA+ populations, and prioritise the commissioning of inclusive, person-centred health care services that respect identity and difference, are non-discriminatory and promote resilience.
• Advocacy and Awareness: Ensure support of initiatives that raise awareness of LGBTIQA+ health needs and advocate for system-wide change that upholds rights, reduces stigma and discrimination, and improves health outcomes.
• Inclusive Collaboration: CESPHN actively partners with LGBTIQA+ organisations, leaders, and allies to support innovation, co-design, and evidence-informed strategies that improve service delivery.
• Data collection: Ensure appropriate and respectful data collection and research by CESPHN and commissioned services that are inclusive of LGBTIQA+ lived experience.

Our Goal

CESPHN is committed to ensuring that inclusion of LGBTIQA+ individuals and communities is embedded across the health system—in policy, practice, and patient experience. CESPHN aims to reduce health disparities, improve service experience, and promote meaningful, sustained improvements in the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people across the region. By working in partnerships with communities, organisations, and health providers, CESPHN will ensure every person can access the healthcare they need with dignity, respect, and confidence.

The Central and Eastern Sydney PHN acknowledges the scientific evidence for human induced climate change. The consequences include deteriorating population health outcomes and widening inequalities in health, threatening our vision of better health and wellbeing for all.

As one organisation in a wider community acting in the service of humanity, honouring the long standing traditions of the health professions, we call ourselves to action to reduce the suffering caused by climate change, and to decarbonise our operations.

Our contributions will make a difference to the communities we serve and improve opportunities for health across the life-course. We pledge our best efforts to build physical, mental, social, and economic health and to grow resilience in our region, as we fully participate in the unified global effort to both mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Download the CESPHN Climate Change and Population Health Statement 2022.

Download the CESPHN Climate Change and Population Health Implementation Plan 2025-2027.

A commitment to address racism

A statement from Central and Eastern Sydney PHN

Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) aspires to be a culturally safe and actively anti-racist organisation.

Racism, in all forms, is a threat to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of communities. CESPHN believes it is our responsibility, as a health organisation, to work towards a long-term goal of eradicating racism within the central and eastern Sydney region. The organisation adopts a zero-tolerance approach to racism. Our vision is better health and wellbeing for all.

A key enabler to accessing healthcare is the existence of culturally appropriate and inclusive primary care services. CESPHN’s work aims to address the poorer health outcomes that exist for many ethnic groups in the community, alongside other priority groups, such as culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQIA+ communities and people in contact with the criminal justice system.

At an organisational level, CESPHN’s commitment to fighting racism is embedded in everything we do. This is illustrated through our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, which outlines its commitment to support and listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the organisation and in the broader community, and our staff policies around bullying, harassment and discrimination. CESPHN staff commit to challenging racism when they see it, being willing to have difficult conversations and actively listening to those around them

CESPHN calls upon its partners and stakeholders to work with us and commit to eliminating racism with the intent of creating a safe and inclusive community. CESPHN and its partners must promote inclusion at every level of the healthcare system, and work together to make the vision of better health and wellbeing for all, a reality

View our Commitment to Address Racism Position Statement

Reconciliation Action Plan

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) has developed an ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. The Reconciliation Action Plan reinforces our commitment as an organisation to fostering positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, and ensuring our practices and programs reflect this vision.

The Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2024-2027 vision is that every employee has access to an inclusive, supportive, and diverse environment. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, empowerment, and accessibility that values the unique contributions of all team members. CESPHN aims to set the standard as an inclusive employer that actively promotes the recruitment, development, and retention of individuals with disabilities. We aim to be an organisation where employees with disabilities are welcomed and celebrated for their unique contributions, skills, and perspectives.