Rural Health Services

Multi-purpose Services

Background information on the development of the Multi-purpose Service (MPS) program, together with its objectives and benefits.

What are they?

Multi-purpose Services (MPS) are integrated health and aged care services that provide flexible and sustainable service options for small rural and remote communities.

The Australian Government provides aged care funding which is combined with state and territory government funding for health services and infrastructure to bring a flexible mix and range of aged care and health services together under one management structure. This provides small communities who are having difficulty supporting a range of independently run services the opportunity to develop a more coordinated and cost-effective approach to service delivery.

Brief history of the MPS Program

In 1991, Australian and state government representatives came together to look at improved ways of meeting the health and aged care needs of people living in rural Australia. The group supported the development of the Multi-purpose Service Program. In 1993, it was piloted in 11 services around Australia and raised considerable interest among many rural communities. Since then, the MPS Program has expanded. There are 117 MPS in operation, with several more under development (as at 30 June 2008).

Challenges faced by rural health and aged care services

The program works on a model of health and aged care service delivery that aims to help small rural and remote communities to tackle some of the challenges they face, such as:

• declining or changing populations causing shifts to occur in the community's health and aged care needs
• being isolated, making it difficult to access a wide range of services
• being unable to support financially viable residential aged care facilities, resulting in the elderly having to leave their community
• having difficulty attracting, retaining and training staff for the health and aged care services.

Objective of the MPS Program

The major objective of the MPS Program is to help overcome some of these challenges and, in doing so, improve:

• the range of health and aged care services being offered in the community
• the delivery of health and aged care services
• community participation in the planning of local health and aged care services
• the quality of care for community members
• the cost-effectiveness and long-term future of the services.

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Where an MPS is likely to work best

An MPS will not be the answer for all rural and remote communities. However, it has been shown to work well in communities where:

• the population is not large enough to support separate services such as a hospital, a residential aged care service, and home and community care services
• there is support from both the Australian Government and state governments
• there is a strong community commitment to improving the local health care
• the existing health service providers are supportive of an MPS
• an MPS would be viable and sustainable under the funding arrangements.

As it is a joint government program, both the Australian Government and the state or territory government must agree on the suitability of the site.

The benefits of an MPS

Like any new service, an MPS may take time to reach its full potential. However, with ongoing commitment from the community and MPS staff, there will be many benefits.

An MPS will be able to offer more service choices, such as older people being offered home based or residential care, and a greater focus on health education and illness prevention programs. These programs can be designed to meet the specific needs of the community.

To achieve these benefits, an MPS is encouraged to be innovative in its service delivery. For example, MPS staff may also work in residential aged care, acute care and community care settings as the need arises.

Every rural and remote community will have unique health and aged care needs. To identify these needs, the community will be encouraged to participate in an extensive consultation process during the development and ongoing operation of the MPS. For many reasons, this may not be an easy task to organise and coordinate.

What legislation does the MPS operate under?

Legislative requirements vary in each state and territory. At the Australian Government level, MPS fall under the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Aged Care Principles 1999.

MPS are required to deliver services in accordance with the National Quality Improvement Framework for Multipurpose Services and the relevant state and territory health quality framework.

National Quality Improvement Framework for Multipurpose Services

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MPS Locations Australia-Wide - by State/Territory

PDF printable version of MPS locations Australia-wide as at 30 June 2008 (PDF 752 KB)

New South Wales

Baradine
Barraba
Berrigan
Blayney
Boggabri
Bombala
Boorowa
Bourke
Braidwood
Brewarrina
Collarenebri
Coolah
Coolamon
Culcairn
Delegate
Denman
Dorrigo
Dunedoo
Gilgandra
Grenfell
Gulargambone
Guyra
Henty
Jerilderie
Junee
Kyogle
Lake Cargelligo
Lightning Ridge
Lord Howe Island
Merriwa
Nimbin
Nyngan
Oberon
Rylstone
Tingha
Tottenham
Trangie
Trundle
Tullamore
Tumbarumba
Urana
Urbenville
Vegetable Creek / Emmaville
Walcha
Warren
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Victoria

Alpine (Bright)
Alpine (Myrtleford)
Alpine (Tawonga)
Apollo / Otway
Corryong / Walwa
Mallee Track
Orbost
Robinvale
Timboon

Queensland

Alpha (Jericho)
Baralaba
Barcaldine
Bauhinia Shire (Springsure)
Biggenden
Blackall
Blackwater
Clermont
Cloncurry
Collinsville
Cooktown
Dirranbandi
Eidsvold
Inglewood
Mossman(Douglas)
Mundubbera
Quilpie
Texas
Theodore
Weipa
Winton
Woorabinda
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South Australia

Ceduna / Oak Valley
Cummins / Tumby Bay
Eastern Eyre
Kangaroo Island
Kingston SE/Robe
Midwest / Elliston
Midwest / Streaky Bay
Midwest / Wudinna
Murray Mallee (Lameroo, Pinnaroo, Karoonda)
Tailem Bend / Meningie
Waikerie

West Australia

Augusta
Beverley
Boyup Brook
Bruce Rock
Central Great Southern
Corrigin
Cunderdin
Dalwallinu
Denmark
Dongara / Mingenew / Eneabba
Dumbleyung
Eastern Wheatbelt
Exmouth
Kondinin
Lake Grace
Leonora / Laverton
Moora
Morawa / Perenjori
Mortlock
Mullewa
Murchison
Nannup
Norseman
North Midlands
Northampton / Kalbarri
Pemberton
Plantagenet
Quairading
Ravensthorpe
York
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Tasmania

Beaconsfield
Campbell Town
Nubeena

Northern Territory

Gove

Contact for further information

Department of Health and Ageing

For further information about the Multipurpose Services Program:
Contact the Residential Program Management Branch,
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Phone: freecall Australia wide: 1800 020 103
Email: acc@health.gov.au
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