Following the release of the Draft National Primary Health Care Strategy on Monday 31 August 2009, the primary health strategy pages on this website are no longer being updated. For further information please go to the yourHealth website at http://www.yourhealth.gov.au
Primary Health Strategy
National Primary Health Care Strategy - Questions and Answers
This section of the site provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy.
General
What is primary health care?
Definitions of primary health care vary from country to country. In Australia, primary health care is generally regarded as a patient’s first point of contact with the health care system. This is most often in the general practice setting. Other primary health care services include those provided by allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, and by general practice nurses, pharmacists, and other community health care workers. These are generally services that are provided as part of ‘out-of-hospital’ care.National Primary Health Care Strategy
Why is the Government developing a National Primary Health Care Strategy (NPHCS)?
This Government genuinely cares about the health of Australians and has a strong focus on improving the quality of Australia’s health care services.
To achieve this, the Government has put in place a comprehensive and systematic approach to the long term improvement and development of Australia's health and hospitals system.
Primary health care is critical to this work. This Government is committed to a strong primary health care system and to improving access to appropriate health care services for all Australians.
That is why the Government is committed to developing a National Primary Health Care Strategy, in recognition that primary health care is crucial to keeping people healthy and out of hospital.
How is the Strategy being developed?
The National Primary Health Care Strategy is being developed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing with advice from an External Reference Group (ERG) and in consultation with the States and Territories, primary health care providers and health stakeholders.Top of page
What sorts of issues will the Strategy address?
In addition to the broad range of issues related to Australia’s primary health care system, the Strategy will look at how to deliver better frontline care to families across Australia, with priorities including:- Better rewarding prevention.
- Promoting evidence-based management of chronic disease.
- Supporting patients with chronic disease to manage their condition.
- Supporting the role GPs play in the health care team.
- Addressing the growing need for access to other health professionals, including practice nurses and allied health professionals like physiotherapists and dieticians.
- Encouraging a greater focus on multidisciplinary team-based care.
What sorts of existing programs will be covered in the Strategy?
In considering Australia’s future primary health care system, the Strategy will consider primary health care services and treatment provided under a wide range of Commonwealth funded programs, including for example (non-exclusive list):- Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) primary health care items, including for general practitioners, general practice nurses and allied health professionals
- Practice Incentives Program (PIP)
- GP Super Clinics
- Divisions of General Practice Program
- Australian Primary Care Collaboratives
- Primary Health Care Access Program
- General Practice After Hours Program
- More Allied Health Services (MAHS)
- Aged Care Access Initiative
- Sharing Health Care Initiative
- Australian Better Health Initiative (joint Commonwealth/state and territory initiative)
- National Rural Primary Health Projects
- Workforce supply (training and education) initiatives, etc.
What is the role of state and territory governments in the Strategy?
Consultation processes have been put in place to ensure that the National Primary Health Care Strategy can be informed by the views of state and territory governments.Top of page
When will the Strategy be available?
A draft National Primary Health Care Strategy is expected to be available for consideration by the Minister for Health and Ageing by mid-2009.Where can I find more information on the National Primary Health Care Strategy?
Information about the development of a National Primary Health Care Strategy can be found at http://www.health.gov.au/primaryhealthstrategyHow can I contribute to the Strategy?
The Discussion Paper: Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy, was open for stakeholder consultation between 30 October 2008 and 27 February 2009. The submission period is now closed.How does the Strategy relate to other current health reform processes?
Alongside the development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy there are a number of other key reform processes underway, including the:- Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health and Ageing Working Group;
- National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC);
- Preventative Health Taskforce (PHT); and
- Review of Maternity Services.
As part of each of these processes, important issues relating to primary health care in Australia are being considered which will be linked in with the development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy.
Another important related process is the development of the National eHealth Strategy, which will have the potential to enable system change to support delivery of broader reforms across the Australian health care system and improve health care delivery.
A review of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) primary care items is also being undertaken by DoHA alongside development of the Strategy – with a focus on reducing red tape for doctors, simplifying the MBS, and giving more support to preventive health care.
In addition, a number of reviews and long-term planning processes are being undertaken in specific areas relevant to primary health care (eg. review of rural health programs, development of a Fourth National Mental Health Plan and the work of the National Advisory Council on Mental Health) which will link with development of the Strategy.
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How will approaches developed in the Strategy be addressed or implemented?
Major changes and new initiatives for our health system will need time to design, implement and deliver. Where new initiatives identified in the Strategy require additional funding their implementation may depend on the overall economic position and government decisions through the Budget process. There are likely to be some areas where early investment can result in immediate improvements and health gains, and this is where the government’s initial efforts may focus. Other changes are likely to be addressed incrementally, building the foundations of Australia’s long term future health system.National Primary Health Care Strategy (NPHCS) External Reference Group
What is the External Reference Group (ERG)?
The External Reference Group has been established to provide expert input to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing in the development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy.
What is the membership of the ERG?
The External Reference Group is chaired by Dr Tony Hobbs and includes a range of health professionals from around Australia.ERG membership includes a pharmacist, a midwife, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, a birth reform advocate, a general practice nurse, a consumer representative, primary care academics and general practitioners, including those with Indigenous, and rural and remote experience. Biographical information about members of the External Reference Group is available at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PHS-ExternalReferenceGroup
The ERG is not representational. Its members are participating on the basis of their individual expertise, not as representatives of specific organisations. Input from the External Reference Group will be complemented by broader consultation where primary health care organisational and stakeholder views can be reflected.
What is the role of the ERG?
The ERG will work closely with the Government in the development of the Strategy, including:- providing expert input on primary health care issues being considered as part of the development of the Strategy;
- reviewing and commenting on information relating to the Strategy prior to release for broader consultation; and
- assisting the Department in the analysis of, and responses to, the range of comments which may be received from broader consultation processes.
How can I contact the ERG?
You can contact the External Reference Group by emailing the Secretariat at nphcs@health.gov.auTop of page
NPHCS Discussion Paper
What is the Discussion Paper?
Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy is a Discussion Paper developed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The Discussion Paper is a key step in the development of a National Primary Health Care Strategy for Australia.The Paper is structured around ten proposed key elements of an enhanced primary health care system to canvass a wide range of important issues. For each element, the Paper describes the current situation and what this means for consumers and health care practitioners, with a focus on identifying major issues that will need to be addressed in the development of the Strategy.
What is the purpose of the Discussion Paper?
The Discussion Paper was aimed at stimulating input and comment on potential future directions for the Australian primary health care system. Information received from submissions and other sources will be used to inform the development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy.What is the scope of the Discussion Paper?
The Discussion Paper is not based on a precise definition or boundary for what should, or should not be, considered as ‘primary health care’. While there are a number of definitions available, in practice there is no absolute or consistent view about whether particular settings and services are part of primary health care or not. Therefore, at this stage, the scope of primary health care in the paper has been considered in broad terms only to allow for Submissions to address possible future directions without being unduly constrained by current service and funding arrangements.What does the Discussion Paper propose as the key elements of a future Australian primary health care system?
The Discussion Paper proposes ten key elements which could underpin a future Australian primary health care system:- All Australians should have access to primary health care services which keep people well and manage ill-health by being:
1. Accessible, clinically and culturally appropriate, timely and affordable;
2. Patient-centred and supportive of health literacy, self-management and individual preference;
3. More focussed on preventive care, including support of healthy lifestyles;
4. Well-integrated, coordinated, and providing continuity of care, particularly for those with multiple, ongoing, and complex conditions.
Service delivery arrangements should support:
5. Safe, high quality care which is continually improving through relevant research and innovation;
6. Better management of health information, underpinned by efficient and effective use of eHealth;
7. Flexibility to best respond to local community needs and circumstances through sustainable and efficient operational models.
Supporting the primary health care workforce are:
8. Working environments and conditions which attract, support and retain workforce;
9. High quality education and training arrangements for both new and existing workforce.
Primary health care is:
10. Fiscally sustainable, efficient and cost effective.
Who can provide submissions on the Discussion Paper?
The Discussion Paper aimed to provide an opportunity for input and comment from all parts of the Australian community with an interest in primary health care. The general public, State and Territory Governments, professional and consumer groups, and other interested people and organisations were invited to make a written submission.How can I get a copy of the Paper?
The Discussion Paper can be found on the Internet at http://www.health.gov.au/primaryhealthstrategyWhen were submissions due?
The deadline for receipt of submissions was Friday, 27 February 2009.Will submissions be published on the NPHCS website?
Unless otherwise indicated in the submission, all submissions will be published on the Department of Health and Ageing website. Any information contained in your submission will be treated as confidential if marked as such. Note that general disclaimers in covering emails have not been interpreted as a specific request or taken as sufficient reason for submissions to be treated confidentially. Any submissions which include personal information identifying specific individuals will be de-identified before submissions are published.In addition, where submissions focus on issues specifically relevant to state and territory governments, this information may be forwarded to the relevant jurisdiction(s).
We are unable to guarantee that late submissions will be published on the website.
Note that submissions or comments will generally be subject to freedom of information provisions under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982.