Patients to Benefit from New Primary Care Infrastructure Grants
Patients can expect to see big changes at their local GP clinics, thanks to $64.5 million in primary care infrastructure grants announced by the Australian Government on 25 November.
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25 November 2010
Patients can expect to see big changes at their local GP clinics, thanks to $64.5 million in primary care infrastructure grants announced today by the Gillard Government.
"We want to make it easier for Australians to see a doctor when they need to,” Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon explained.
“These grants will help local doctors to expand the services they offer to their communities.”
New and upgraded specialised practice nurse facilities, treatment rooms fitted with the latest medical equipment, and training rooms for patients to attend preventative health education sessions are just some of the projects to be completed at over 240 local clinics around the country through primary care infrastructure grants of up to $500,000 announced today.
“Patients in these 240 communities will notice treatment and training rooms being built at their local doctor’s practice and access to new health professionals such as practice nurses, diabetes educators, physiotherapists and mental health workers.”
Forty-five per cent (45%) of the grants will be provided to regional and remote Australia, continuing the Government’s commitment to improve access to better health services in regional Australia.
Delivering primary care infrastructure grants show the Gillard Government continuing to deliver its health reform agenda. This follows legislative support to establish the National Preventative Health Agency, achieve over $1.9 billion in savings to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the historic move to provide access to the Medicare benefits for eligible nurse practitioners and midwives.
The primary care infrastructure grants are part of the Government’s 2010-11 Budget commitment of $355.2 million over three years to improve primary health care infrastructure. The commitment includes up to $233 million for additional GP Super Clinics.
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 6277 7220
About the grants:
There are three types of primary care infrastructure grants, with grants of up to $150,000 each; up to $300,000 and up to $500,000.
The grants are awarded on a competitive basis and entail two rounds of invitation to apply.
Today’s announcement represents the shortlisted applicants from round one.
The shortlisted applicants will now begin negotiations with the Department of Health and Ageing before individual grants are finalised.
The second round of Primary Care Infrastructure Grants is expected to be advertised in March 2011.
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