Perth North Metro Medicare Local

Perth North Metro Medicare Local

Characteristics of the local area:

Perth North Metro Medicare Local encompasses the City of Wanneroo, the City of Joondalup and most of the City of Stirling, covering 830 square kilometres. The northern component of the region (City of Wanneroo) has a rapidly growing population, with an anticipated average annual growth rate of 5.4 per cent (compared to the current state growth rate of 2.1 per cent and current national growth rate of 1.6 per cent).

Based on current population and health status information and trends, the identified priorities for regional program development from a primary care perspective include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander access and health promotion, aged care, alcohol and drug use, chronic disease management, healthy lifestyle promotion, immunisation, mental health and youth health.

New key activities as a Medicare Local:

To meet the strategic objectives for a Medicare Local, the Perth North Metro Medicare Local will undertake a range of activities that will initially include:

• Expanding and promoting programs that support improved patient care, including developing a new e-health program.
• Facilitating access to services that were previously unavailable (e.g. developing an after hours program).
• Strengthening links with the Aboriginal Health Services in East Perth and Mirrabooka (Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service) with Closing the Gap programs.
• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders through formalising teams in Partnership & Integration, Primary Care Services, Public Relations and Marketing, and Workforce Development.
• Establishing a Consumer Reference Group to increase the diversity of membership and representation of consumers.
• Informing stakeholders and patients of services available in their local area.

Achievements to date:

The Osborne General Practice Network (OGPN) has delivered primary health care and support services to the general primary health care sector, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care services.

The Division has undertaken a broad range of activities which include:

• Develop and expand on a diverse range of service delivery programs to consumers, including Multidisciplinary Diabetes Program; Osteoarthritis of the Knee Self Management Program; Healthy Families for Happy Futures; and Fresh Start Smoking Cessation Program.
• Establish strong working relationships with a wide range of primary health care service providers, acute care providers, community health groups, and local, State and Commonwealth Governments.
• Establish innovative practice support programs such as the GP Information and Advocacy Program to increase the promotion of and participation in OGPN programs.
• Develop a wide range of publications to promote health care programs and healthy living choices.

Local partnerships:

Perth North Metro Medicare Local continues to strengthen its community health focus by establishing collaborative working relationships with a broad range of local and state-based organisations. These linkages occur on an organisation to organisation basis as well as via interagency committees in order to discuss mutual needs, opportunities for partnership projects, service gaps, cross referral and other relevant matters.

The Medicare Local has partnerships with a wide range of organisations such as hospitals, mental health services, Aboriginal health services, and GP and allied health providers.

Consultation mechanisms and structure:

Board sub-committees include Board Executive Committee, Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee, Clinical Governance Committee and a Nominations and Remuneration Committee. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall operation and management of the organisation and is supported by a team of Executive Officers.

The successful organisation structure of the OGPN will be expanded with day-to-day management provided by team leaders. The line management structure of Perth North Metro Medicare Local will be complemented by both standing committees and short term working groups convened to address specific, time limited issues. Standing committees will be established from a wide range of stakeholder, partner and member agencies as required.

The Perth North Metro Medicare Local Consumer Reference Group will provide input on issues referred to it by the Medicare Local and provide suggestions and feedback to the organisation. Program Advisory Committees will be established within each program area to provide a forum for members, stakeholders and clinicians to provide input and feedback on specific health issues and programs and provide a forum for sharing of information.

Contact details:

Perth North Metro Medicare Local
Suite 4, 137 Main Street
Osborne Park WA 6017

Phone: (08) 9201 0044
Fax: (08) 9201 0033
Email: info@pnml.com.au
Website: www.pnml.com.au

Perth North Metro Medicare Local (PDF 297 KB)