About the review
After-hours primary care provides medical care to people with urgent but not life-threatening conditions.
The review looked at:
- the current state of the after-hours primary care system
- how after-hours primary care services can be better integrated with community care, acute care and emergency care services
- the effectiveness of policies and programs related to after-hours primary care access.
It drew on extensive consultation with consumers, practitioners and providers of after-hours primary care services.
An expert advisory panel oversaw the review, including providing advice on key issues and direction.
Members advised on, rather than endorsed, the final report’s findings, key themes or opportunities for reform.
Why it’s important
A strong after-hours primary care system helps to:
- ease pressure on emergency departments
- ensure Australians can get urgent care when they need it.
The review responds to Strengthening Medicare Taskforce recommendations.
Expert advisory panel
Membership of the panel included expertise in primary care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, health economics, and health systems.
Member | Expertise and role |
---|---|
Mr Mark Roddam (Chair – ex officio) | First Assistant Secretary, Primary Care Division, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care |
Professor Anthony Scott | Health economist Professor and Director, Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University |
Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo | General practitioner with an expertise in priority populations health Practice Principal, East Canberra General Practice |
Dr Dawn Casey PSM (Proxy Dr Jason Agostino) | First Nations health Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation |
Ms Denise Lyons | Nurse practitioner Board member, Australia Primary Health Care Nurses Association |
Professor Henry Cutler | Health economist Director, Centre for Health Economy, Macquarie Business School |
Dr Paul Mara AM | Rural and remote general practitioner Managing Director, Quality Practice Accreditation |
Ms Sinead O’Brien | State and territory representative Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy and Governance), Department of Health and Wellbeing South Australia |
Emeritus Professor Stephen Duckett AM | Health system financing Honorary Professor in the School of Population and Global Health University of Melbourne |
Tracey Johnson | Practice Manager and Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary, Inala Primary Care |
Status
The review is complete.
The final report identifies opportunities for:
- making after-hours care more accessible and affordable for patients
- improving quality and safety
- better integrating after-hours care into the urgent care system to reduce pressure on emergency departments
- ensuring the financial viability of after-hours primary care providers
- supporting after-hours primary care in regional, rural and remote areas.