Medicare Locals

A key component of the Australian Government’s National Health Reforms is the establishment of a new nation-wide network of Medicare Locals.

Medicare Locals will be primary health care organisations established to coordinate primary health care delivery and tackle local health care needs and service gaps. They will drive improvements in primary health care and ensure that services are better tailored to meet the needs of local communities.

Medicare Locals will have a number of key roles in improving primary health care services for local communities.

They will make it easier for patients to access the services they need, by linking local GPs, nursing and other health professionals, hospitals and aged care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, and maintaining up to date local service directories.
They will work closely with Local Hospital Networks to make sure that primary health care services and hospitals work well together for their patients.
They will plan and support local after hours face-to-face GP services.
They will identify where local communities are missing out on services they might need and coordinate services to address those gaps.
They will support local primary care providers, such as GPs, practice nurses and allied health providers, to adopt and meet quality standards.
They will be accountable to local communities to make sure the services are effective and of high quality.

My Medicare Local

The Australian Government has now announced a further 38 new Medicare Locals. Of these, 18 will commence establishment and operational activities from 1 January 2012 and the remaining Medicare Locals will commence from 1 July 2012.

Medicare Local National Body

A National Body will be established to assist Medicare Locals to function effectively and efficiently, to achieve their objectives and to work as a cohesive network that can be responsive to evolving Commonwealth priorities.

Medicare Locals – after hours primary care responsibilities

Medicare Locals will be tasked with a range of after hours primary care roles and responsibilities so that all Australians, regardless of where they live, are provided with accessible and effective after hours primary care services.

Medicare Local Boundaries

In February 2011, the Government announced there will be more Medicare Locals to ensure local responsiveness. As a result, the Commonwealth re-examined the Medicare Local catchments proposed on 23 December 2010. The final boundaries have now been announced, totaling 62 Medicare Locals nationwide.