HHDGP CEO UPDATE
MEDICARE LOCAL PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS
“May you live in interesting times”
It has been my pleasure to have recently joined the Hawkesbury Hills Division and to commence getting around to meet with many of our members, some of whom I am discovering are former colleagues from my previous involvements with the GP community. This is providing an opportunity to gain valuable feedback on the Division’s past performance and to hear suggestions as to how we might be able to better serve you in the future. It is my hope that I will be able to visit all practices in our catchment area, over time.
One of the key factors in my decision to join the Division is that the healthcare care reforms for establishment of a national network of Local Health Networks (LHNs) and Medicare Locals (PHCOs) initiated by the Federal Government, create “interesting times” to be involved with the healthcare system and carry many challenges for general practice in particular.
The saying frequently attributed incorrectly to Confucius “May you live in interesting times” is often described as a Chinese curse. It is to be hoped that the changes these reforms represent, do not turn out to be another curse for general practice.
So a good deal of my time to date has been attempting to absorb the various issues which arise in respect to PHCOs. This has included attending in early November the AGPN National Forum and Conference, at which much of the focus of discussions and debate centred on PHCOs.
The Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP, was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. She stated that the term to describe these organizations will be “Medicare Locals” and this is a Government decision on branding and is non negotiable. Prior to the conference on 29th October, The Minister distributed a discussion paper seeking views (for submission by November 15th) from all interested parties, on proposed broad rules and functions for Medicare Locals, focusing on five key Strategic
Objectives :
1 Identification of the health needs of local areas and development of locally focussed and responsive services.
2 Improving the patient journey through developing integrated and coordinated services
3 Providing support to clinicians and service providers to improve patient care.
4 Facilitating of the implementation and successful operation of primary health care initiatives and programs.
5 Being efficient and accountable with strong governance and effective management.
In addition, Minister Roxon stated that the Government is now seeking Expressions of Interest from Divisions interested in becoming Medicare Locals. She said that the expressions of interest will help the Government inform a selection process for the initial Medicare Locals that will occur within the next few months. A further step she announced will soon be taking will be to outline preferred boundaries for Medicare Locals.
As many members will already be aware, our Division earlier this year agreed to participate in a joint proposal with some of our neighbouring Divisions for the formation of a PHCO. Whilst this proposal will continue, our Division is concerned to ensure that the interests of its broad membership in the Hawkesbury Hills area is not disadvantaged by these proposals. Given this concern, it is intended to submit a Registration of Interest for Hawkesbury Hills Division to become a Medicare Local in its own right within its existing boundaries, centred on the Windsor Road, Old Windsor Road axis. Based on current and projected population and GP numbers, it is arguable that there is a strong case to be made in favour of this.
2011 is shaping up to be a most “interesting” year, with a flurry of developments very likely in the January to June period. We will keep members informed on developments and should members wish to discuss any aspect of these issues, I welcome contact through the Division office.
I wish all Members, their staff and families the very best of good wishes for a happy and safe festive and holiday season.
Frank J Kellett
Chief Executive Officer
