A key milestone from our 10-year journey shows why digital health matters. In 2016-17, we partnered with UK innovators to bring Simple Telehealth (“Nellie” now known as Florence) to local practices. Each patient received personalised SMS prompts—“Send today’s BP reading”—and Nellie’s algorithms replied with coaching or alerted clinicians when numbers went out of range.

Early adopter Dr Gowri Ratnavelar reported her patients had better blood-pressure control, fewer unnecessary visits and stronger patient ownership of care. Today, approximately 97% of practices across our catchment use SEMPHN-supported tools—including e-referrals, secure messaging, electronic prescribing and remote monitoring—to reach people wherever they are.

Nellie / Florence is just one example of how SEMPHN has used innovation to improve outcomes over the last decade. By working closely with general practice, allied health and community partners, we continue turning smart ideas into practical tools so people in south east Melbourne can live their healthiest lives.