SSWAHS = SWSLHN + SLHN and the Medicare Locals - 20

First Medicare Local applications accepted, after-hours care funding fast-tracked

22nd Feb 2011

Staff writers all articles by this author

4 comments

THE Federal Government has today begun accepting applications from GP divisions and primary care organisations to form its new Medicare Locals (MLs).

Meanwhile, new guidelines for establishing MLs, released by Prime Minister Julia Gillard as part of the Invitation to Apply process launch, have been welcomed by the AGPN as further clarifying the roles the new organisations will play in ongoing health reforms.

AGPN chair Dr Emil Djakic said the guidelines announced today by Ms Gillard and Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon provided "tangible steps for the network as it transitions from the divisions of general practice program" to MLs.

"Now that the [Invitation to Apply] criteria have been released, the divisions of general practice across Australia can work with their partners in the primary health sector to formulate their respective ML proposals," he said.

The praise, however, follows recent criticism by Dr Djakic that the Gillard Government risked stymieing health reform by increasing the number of MLs after the expansion was announced as part of its health reform and funding deal with the states.

Dr Djakic had expressed concerns that raising the number of MLs beyond the planned 57 risked diluting the provision of services, resulting in weaker, less effective organisations.

The Gillard Government has allocated a total of $477 million over four years to establish the national ML network to replace the existing divisions of general practice.

The first group of Medicare Locals is scheduled to begin operating from 1 July.

According to a joint statement by the ministers, the new guidelines aim to provide support to GPs and improve patient care as well as developing locally focused services based on community needs.

Ms Gillard urged primary health care organisations to apply to become MLs through the invitation process.

GPs have meanwhile welcomed the government's announcement that it will fast-track plans to reform funding for after-hours care also announced as part of its health reform agreement with the states.

The changes may entitle practices to receive greater funding for providing after-hours care as the government has delayed the phasing-out of Practice Incentive Program (PIP) payments for after-hours consultations until 2013.

Tags: Medicare locals, AGPN, Emil Djakic, after-hours, PIP

Comments:

ed
22nd Feb 2011
6:10pm

A new name but the same old rubbish that divisions have promoted. The divisions were created to help old GPs find jobs which paid a cushy salary for no work. It also paid useless administrators to draw up programs such as"better communication with aborigines". Treat the aborigine as a human and he bleeds just like anybody.

TIBOR
22nd Feb 2011
7:21pm

The Division of General Practices have unfortunately paved the way for the establishment of the Medicare Locals, with expanded memorandum of understanding, beyond general practice run preventative community activities, with the intended incorporation of wider community representation, pharmacies, nurses and other health sectors.

The Divisions were perceived by the RACGP as having poor managerial abilities and fluctuating general practitioner staff membership. How Locals will implement and improve preventative health measures, access to hopital service and specialist sectors is rather vague. But what is obvious, they will be extensions of the government health departments at more so called specific local levels. But will they be more efficient and cost effective then the present system? To my mind and to others it appears to be another tier, requiring a whole lot of administrators, accountant, employees and governances. It is true the Divisions were fairly useless in their community preventative tasks and no real measurement were undertaken, but I cannot see the Locals doing any better. One of their aims is to provide after hours services. But if the doctors are continually poorly remunerated, then they will not have the workforce. Perhaps they think nurses and phamacists making house call is the answer. I just wonder. No matter what, Divisions are out and Locals are in! The GP's, so called, in this press release, who have been said to apparently 'welcomed the government' announcements' I would like to know their affiliations.

Solidarity
26th Feb 2011
6:33am

"Transition" is a noun. It cannot possibly be a verb.
This quote from Dr Djakic "Now that the [Invitation to Apply] criteria have been released, the divisions of general practice across Australia can work with their partners in the primary health sector to formulate their respective ML proposals," sounds just like Kevinruddspeak . Australians, read "1984" - your Government is wasting every penny to establish dictatorship and call it "freedom" or "better services". Then take to the streets to get rid of these Marxist drones.

ed
28th Feb 2011
7:25pm

News release 2 years in advance: 28 Feb 2013:

Nicola dropped from Cabinet. Applies to WHO for job. Appointed Secretary Useless Projects, WHO by Ban Kee Moon. Now a resident of Geneva. Holds dinner parties for Drs given a Medicare Local. Medicare locals collapse because of a shortage of doctors. Witch doctors from Africa and Barefoot Doctors from China invited to join Nicola's folly