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Transition
Transition
Background
National health reform
The Australian Government has announced signficant changes to Australia's health system. These policy directions are aimed at creating a more equitable, cost effective, connected health system in Australia.
Through the Council of Australian Governments' National Health and Hospitals Network (NHHN) Agreement, a NHHN will comprise regional Medicare Locals (MLs) and Local Hospital Networks (LHNs) working together to deliver more integrated, locally responsive and flexible health services to improve the patient’s journey through the health system.
Further information on health reform, including the boundaries for MLs and LHNs, can be found at the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) website, www.yourhealth.gov.au.
Source: www.yourhealth.gov.au
Medicare Locals
MLs will be responsible for managing the primary health care needs of the population within a defined geographic region with a range of functions aimed at:
- making it easier for patients to navigate the local health care system
- providing more integrated care
- ensuring more responsive local GP and primary health care services that meet the needs and priorities of patients and communities
- making primary health care work as an effective system as part of the overall health system.
MLs will be established as independent legal entities with strong links to their local communities, health professionals, service providers and consumer and patient groups, enabling them to respond effectively to local needs.
Divisions of general practice (also known as general practice networks or GPNs) will form the foundation of the new MLs through a process of transition during the period leading up to 1 July 2012. The implementation of MLs will be done in three stages:
- First tranche of 19 MLs begin operating in July 2011
- Second tranche of MLs (approximately 15) will commence in January 2012
- Remainder of the MLs will commence in July 2012.
Source: www.yourhealth.gov.au
The 'Guidelines for the establishment and initial operation of Medicare Locals & Information for applicants wishing to apply for funding to establish a Medicare Local’ was released by DoHA on 22 February 2011. Further information is available at the DoHA website, www.yourhealth.gov.au.
The National Primary Health Care Partnership (NPHCP) has developed a 'Medicare Locals 'fact sheet' for National Primary Health Care Partnership members'. This is available at the NPCHP website, NPHCP Medicare Locals Fact Sheet.
Medicare Local Profiles can be viewed at http://www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/medilocprofiles
Contact us
Email: transition@agpn.com.au
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