Background

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In June 2011 the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, announced the Murrumbidgee Medicare Local as one of the first nineteen Medicare Locals to lead primary health care reform in Australia.

The applications chosen were from high performing Divisions of General Practice, many working in consortia with other organisations, with established records in improving primary health care for their local community, and strong plans to improve local primary care services into the future.

In her announcement the Minister emphasized the important role Medicare Locals have in working with GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, Indigenous health organisations and Local Hospital Networks to identify and respond to gaps in local health services – and help patients and professionals navigate our complex health system more easily.

The five objectives Medicare Locals are required to address are;

• Improving the patient journey through developing integrated and coordinated services;
• Providing support to clinicians and service providers to improve patient care;
• Identifying the health needs of local areas and development of locally focused and responsive services;
• Facilitating the implementation and successful performance of Primary health care initiatives and programs;
• Be efficient and accountable with strong governance and effective management.

By 2012 there will be in place a national network of some 60 independent legal entities (Medicare Locals) with strong links to their local communities, health professionals, service providers and consumer and patient groups. This will enable better planning and coordination of local health services and more effective response to local needs.