ICFHS leads a conversation on building bridges through community health navigation

The 2026 Community Health Navigator Forum, hosted by the International Centre for Future Health Systems (ICFHS) with support from Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN), brought together researchers, policymakers, health services and community representatives at UNSW's Health Translation Hub on 9 October. Led by ICFHS Emeritus Professor Mark Harris AO, ICFHS Adjunct Associate Professor Elizabeth Harris AM, ICFHS Associate Professor Margo Barr and colleagues, including Dr Anthony Brown from Health Consumers NSW. The forum was attended by more than 135 participants from across Australia.

Uncle Lloyd Walker provided the Welcome to Country, followed by an opening address from Julie Dixon, Acting Mental Health Commissioner. ICFHS Adjunct Associate Professor Jean-Frederic Levesque spoke on equitable access, while Professor Lee-Fay Low highlighted diverse navigation needs through the example of dementia.

A panel chaired by Dr Anthony Brown of Health Consumers NSW brought together consumer, government, clinical and service perspectives. UNSW Adjunct Associate Professor Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), highlighted the importance of navigators providing system intelligence to improve health and social care systems.

Breakout discussions focused on sustainability, funding, community trust and integrating navigators into teams. Professor Michael Kidd AO FAHMS, Chief Medical Officer for Australia and Foundation Director of ICFHS, supported the need for community health navigators and highlighted their role in improving access to coordinated care.