The ACCC has decided to authorise arrangements which allow WA Primary Health Alliance Ltd (WAPHA) and a group of organisations managing other Primary Health Networks (PHNs, collectively, the Participating PHNs) to jointly scale up and develop their own data extraction software for use by the Participating PHNs and their affiliated General Practice (GP) clinics (the Proposed Conduct).
PHNs are independent, not-for-profit organisations funded by the Commonwealth Government to coordinate primary health care services in the regions that they are responsible for. PHNs are required to collect and analyse a range of population and health data, specifically including de-identified GP clinics data. Currently, most PHNs enable this data extraction by procuring data extraction software from third party suppliers and providing it to their affiliated GP clinics.
The ACCC considers that the Proposed Conduct is likely to result in public benefit primarily in the form of cost savings which will be likely, in turn, allow PHNs to be more effective at achieving their objective of improving public health. The ACCC also considers any public detriment is likely to be limited.
The ACCC has granted authorisation until 19 March 2027.
Further information about the ACCC’s determination is available on the public register.