Next Steps Taken to Establish Medicare Locals
The Australian Government has taken an important step in establishing a network of primary health care organisations – Medicare Locals – by releasing a discussion paper on their planned roles, functions and governance.
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29 October 2010
The Gillard Government is getting on with the job of reforming our health and hospital system and today took the important next step in establishing a network of primary health care organisations – Medicare Locals – by releasing a discussion paper on their planned roles, functions and governance.
The discussion paper outlines what activities Medicare Locals will undertake, how they will be structured, and how they will engage with patients and health providers.
The paper outlines five key objectives for Medicare Locals:
- Identification of the health needs of local areas and development of locally focused and responsive services including a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention;
- Improving the patient journey through developing integrated and coordinated services;
- Providing support to clinicians and service providers to improve patient care, particularly the better prevention and management of chronic disease;
- Facilitating the implementation and successful performance of primary healthcare initiatives and programs; and
- Being efficient and accountable with strong governance and effective management.
Medicare Locals will have strong links to local communities, health professionals – including GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals – and service providers enabling them to respond more effectively to the needs of local communities.
They will provide more co-ordinated care, improve access to services and drive integration between GPs, hospitals, allied health, mental health and aged care.
Speaking at the formal opening of Australia’s seventh GP Super Clinic in Belmont, Geelong, Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon said that one of the first important tasks of Medicare Locals will be to help coordinate 24 hour GP after hours access, which will take pressure off our hospitals.
GP Super Clinics are a key element of the Australian Government’s strategy to build a stronger primary health care system, having already provided over 250,000 services across Australia.
26 GP Super Clinics are currently either operational, offering early services or under construction.
The first Medicare Locals are expected to commence operations in mid-2011 with the remainder commencing in mid-2012.
The Government’s discussion paper and information on how to respond to the discussion paper is available at www.yourhealth.gov.au. Submissions must be received by 15 November 2010.
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220
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