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Ministers collaborate to strengthen Primary Health and Community Care
Australian Health Ministers today agreed to a unified approach to strengthen primary health and community care at the local level - spanning general practice, community services and hospitals.
Ministers collaborate to strengthen Primary Health and Community Care
Australian Health Ministers today agreed to a unified approach to strengthen primary health and community care at the local level - spanning general practice, community services and hospitals.
The decision came from the Annual Australian Health Ministers Conference being held in Wellington, New Zealand.
Federal Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge said a collaborative approach will help services to better meet people's needs.
"The sector has been fragmented, with work pursued separately by the different jurisdictions. By joining forces we can build on existing work and initiatives rather than duplicating them," Dr Wooldridge said.
"The primary health and community care sector is the most visible and commonly used part of our health system.
"It includes many services which are often the first point of contact for people with the health system - for example GPs, hospital emergency departments and pharmacies, as well as the community based support people receive in their homes, and prevention and early detection services, such as breast and cervical screening.
"All governments have a stake in the primary and community care sector, with shared responsibilities for different aspects.
Dr Wooldridge said the agreement would include consultation with general practice, primary, community and acute care sectors, as well as closer collaboration between governments.
"We're aiming to improve the link between hospital and community based care by strengthening the relationship between pre and post hospital care, emergency departments, outpatient departments and general practice," said South Australian Human Services Minister and conference chair, Dean Brown.
"We've also agreed to undertake corresponding work in developing the infrastructure that is needed to underpin an effective primary health and community care sector. Enhancing primary and community care is an important component for improvements in the overall health sector."
Media Contact: Serena Williams, Dr Wooldridge's office, 0411 261 627
Virginia Dove, Department of Health and Aged Care, 0411 255 229
Peter Gandolfi, Mr Brown's office, 0418 851 033
