Building a 21st Century Primary Health Care System: A Draft of Australia's First National Primary Health Care Strategy
The Starting Point for Reform
Many of the elements described in the Report that accompanies this Draft Strategy provide the context in which to consider reform of primary health care in Australia. These include:
A strong foundation
- Australians generally have good health outcomes with the second highest life expectancy in the world and a health system widely recognised as world class.
- Supported by the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), most Australians have good access to affordable services provided through general practice, have a choice of provider, and have been supported in their access to many specialist and diagnostic services.
- Through agreements with states and territories, access to hospital-based services has complemented the primary health care system enabling access free of charge and 24 hours a day in an emergency and to specialist services through outpatients.