Feedback on potential boundaries for Medicare Locals and Local Hospital Networks

Read the documents Below is a copy of the independent modelling work commissioned by AGPN. Framework for development of Primary Health Care Organisations in Australia - parts 1 and 2 (PDF 4,493 KB) Framework for development of Primary Health Care Organisations in Australia - part 3 (PDF 3,965 KB)

Context

As part of the health reforms, the Australian Government will invest $416.8 million over four years to establish a network of primary health care organisations (Medicare Locals) across Australia. This includes funding to improve access to after hours primary care through Medicare Locals.

Medicare Locals will be independent legal entities with strong links to local communities, health professionals and service providers, enabling them to respond more effectively to local need. Medicare Locals will support health professionals to provide more co-ordinated care, improve access to services, and drive integration across the primary health care, hospital and aged care sectors.

The first group of Medicare Locals (around 15 organisations) will commence operation in mid 2011, with the remainder commencing in mid 2012. The first group will be drawn from the Divisions of General Practice network.

Initial consultation on Local Hospital Network boundaries will be undertaken by the States and Territories. Following an initial consultation phase the Commonwealth will work with the States and Territories with the aim of producing a combined set of government endorsed LHN and Medicare Local boundaries for further consultation.

Feedback sought

To inform development work on potential boundaries for Medicare Locals, the Department of Health and Ageing sought views from interested parties.

Individuals, organisations and government bodies were invited to make comments or submissions on potential boundaries for Medicare Locals, including but not limited to:

• Principles for determining boundaries or catchment areas for Medicare Locals, including potential differences between metropolitan, rural and remote areas.
• Suggestions about the optimum number of Medicare Locals in a particular state, territory or region, including potential boundaries in each area.
• How boundaries might be defined in cross border areas.
• Potential barriers or difficulties that will need to be addressed in establishing new boundaries and catchment areas for Medicare Locals.

Please note, the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) commissioned its own independent modelling work (by Carla Cranny & Associates) on potential boundaries which could be considered in submissions (see right). The content of the Carla Cranny and Associates report has not been endorsed by AGPN.

This consultation closed on 30 September 2010.