National Body to Coordinate Medicare Locals

View by date:

• July
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

• 2011
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

PDF printable version of National Body to Coordinate Medicare Locals (PDF 17 KB)

19 July 2011

The Australian Government will invite the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) to establish a new national body to support and coordinate the network of Medicare Locals and help lead the Gillard Government’s investments in primary health care.

“Primary health care is the part of the health system that Australians use the most. Our Government is investing more than ever before in the front end primary care so that people receive more services closer to home,” Acting Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said.

“GPs will always be at the centre of primary care in Australia. However, we know that patients struggle to navigate through the primary care system and we need to improve the links between GPs, practice nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and other primary care providers.

“Medicare Locals will play a crucial role in leading primary health care reform by working with stakeholders to identify and respond to gaps in local health services, and help patients and professionals navigate our complex system more easily.

“The new national body will help Medicare Locals to achieve their goals by providing national leadership and promoting close communication and collaboration across the Medicare Local network and with other parts of the health care sector and consumers.”

The AGPN is the peak body for the Divisions of General Practice Network, which will be replaced by the network of Medicare Locals. Most recently, AGPN has played a key leadership role assisting Divisions to transition to the much broader work of Medicare Locals.

Mr Butler said that as the Medicare Local national body, the AGPN would expand its current functions and responsibilities to engage with other health professionals outside general practice, including allied health, Indigenous health and consumers. A particular role will be to promote better links between primary health care, hospitals, aged care and the social care sector.

In issuing this invitation to the AGPN, the Government indicates its confidence in the work and ability of AGPN. Nevertheless, contractual arrangements will require the AGPN to demonstrate its ability to meet this expanded role and assure the Government that it is ready and prepared to successfully drive the implementation of Medicare Locals and their ongoing operations.

In addition, the Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon has also extended funding for the Divisions of General Practice state-based organisations (SBOs) until 31 December 2012. This will enable SBOs to continue transition work with Medicare Locals and the new national body. From 2013, the national body will take responsibility for coordinating the provision of state-based functions on behalf of the Medicare Local network.

The first 19 Medicare Locals, funded from 1 July 2011, were announced recently. By July 2012, a total of 62 locally-run Medicare Locals will be established covering the whole of Australia.

For more information on the role and function of the Medicare Local National Body visit the yourHealth website.

For more information, please contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7280