For the real world of commissioning services in the middle of imperfect data and evidence, there is much more to economics than cost-effectiveness and trial evaluations: From understanding where the greatest needs are and how they align (or not) with patterns of resource allocation, through to examining the major cost drivers and frequent users of services.

Establishing age-friendly communities which are good for all residents across the lifespan, puts local government at the forefront of being able to design and deliver services that allow residents to participate at their level of choosing within the community. 

There is a huge opportunity to make our communities more conducive to maintaining and improving mental health, with a huge role local governments can play in achieving this. Where some councils may not have an appetite for supporting such a cause, progressive councils see mental health as very much part of their responsibility and remit.

The Suicide Prevention Care Pathway provides a huge opportunity to bring the local sector together and guide engagement and development activities into the future that build the capacity and capability of the ‘system’ to better respond to people at risk of suicide.

As the 31 PHNs across Australia continue improve their capability and effectiveness in health service commissioning, the current policy setting will require PHNs to apply their commissioning frameworks in a more integrated and collaborative way via co-commissioning.