Adelaide out in Front Leading Primary Health Care Reform

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PDF printable version of Adelaide out in Front Leading Primary Health Care Reform (PDF 19 KB)

10 June 2011

Adelaide is set to become one of the first communities in Australia to lead primary health care reform following the announcement that GP Partners Adelaide, with Adelaide Western General Practice Network Inc and Adelaide Hills Division of General Practice, has been selected as the Central Adelaide and Hills Medicare Local from 1 July 2011.

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler and Federal Member for Hindmarsh Steve Georganas today visited the Woodville site of Adelaide Western General Practice Network Inc to see the great work already taking place.

“Medicare Locals will be the glue that makes the different parts of the health system stick together in a way that's better for a patient,” Minister Roxon said.

“Medicare Locals will be the engine room that supports your GP and other health professionals, to work better together and fill the gaps in a locally relevant way.

“The Central Adelaide and Hills Medicare Local will have a key focus chronic disease, aged care, mental health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health as well as a plan to establish a totally integrated after hours GP service for the whole of the Medicare Local catchment.”

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing and local Federal Member for Port Adelaide Mark Butler said that Medicare Locals will play a key role in ensuring new mental health services delivered through this year's Budget are properly linked in with other services.

“It’s critical that consumers are at the heart of our mental health system. Medicare Locals are going to play a key role in facilitating and coordinating care and support, particularly for patients with severe mental illness,” Mr Butler said.

Member for Hindmarsh Steve Georganas congratulated the Adelaide Western General Practice Network for collaborating effectively with GP Partners Adelaide and Adelaide Hills Division of General Practice as part of the winning bid.

“The Central Adelaide and Hills Medicare Local will have an important role in working with GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, Indigenous health organisations and the Local Hospital Network to identify and respond to gaps in local health services.

“I know we have great health care professionals in Adelaide and our new Medicare Local will deliver better results locally and that’s good news for patients,” Mr Georganas said.

The Gillard Government received many high quality applications to become Medicare Locals. Given this breadth of quality applications, the Government has decided that the first tranche of Medicare Locals should comprise 19 organisations across urban and rural Australia, an increase on the 15 originally proposed.

They have been drawn from high performing Divisions of General Practice, many working in consortia with other organisations, with established records in improving primary health care for their local community, and strong plans to improve local primary care services into the future.

Media inquiries:
Minister Roxon’s Office: (02) 6277 7220
Minister Butler’s Office: (02) 6277 7280
Member for Hindmarsh’s office on 08 8376 9000