Evaluation helps CESPHN understand the impact of commissioned programs and services, identify opportunities for improvement, and inform future planning and commissioning decisions. During 2025-26, CESPHN completed local program evaluations and contributed to a range of national evaluations across aged care, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, urgent care, psychosocial support and population health programs. Evaluation findings support evidence-informed commissioning, continuous quality improvement and stronger integration across primary care, community services and the broader health system.
Evaluation
2
commissioned program evaluations completed in 2025-26.
9
national and external evaluations underway.
2
completed evaluations and 9 evaluations underway.
In 2025-26, two commissioned program evaluations were completed:
- Alcohol and Other Drugs program evaluation (Mag Care)
- Telehealth Psychiatry Services evaluation (Nexus Management Consultancy).
During the same period, several national and external evaluations remained underway. These included:
- Care Finder program (Australian Healthcare Associates)
- Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Program (PwC)
- Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Assist Phase 2 (Sax Institute)
- Primary Care Enhancement Program for people with intellectual disability Phase 2 (University of Queensland)
- Medicare Urgent Care Clinics program (Nous Group)
- Medicare Mental Health Centre’s and Head to Health Phone Service (University of Melbourne and Monash University)
- Universal Aftercare (Agency for Clinical Innovation)
- Connect and Thrive Psychosocial Support Program (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing)
- Sexual Violence and Child Sexual Abuse Navigator Service (Sax Institute).
These evaluations are helping to build the evidence base for effective service delivery and support future commissioning decisions across the region.
”In 2025, CESPHN completed an evaluation of its Alcohol and Other Drugs program. The evaluation found that the program aligns strongly with national priorities and supports a stepped-care approach through community-based services. Consumers reported improvements in wellbeing and reduced substance use, while findings identified opportunities to strengthen integration, referral pathways, and equitable access.
Alcohol and Other Drugs program evaluation