Among significant changes to health services in Tuesday’s federal budget, Medicare Locals will be replaced by Primary Health Networks from July 1, 2015.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Through an open tender process later this year, Western Medicare Local will be one organisation applying to become the new Primary Health Network for the region.
On Thursday Western NSW Medicare Local chief executive, Dr Jenny Beange, said she welcomed recognition of the importance of investment in primary care organisations who are tasked with keeping people well and out of hospital.
“Our primary responsibility in the next year is to maintain the continuity of service provision to the communities and health providers of our region.”
“In relation to these new announcements and changes, WML believes it is in a good position to make this transition to becoming a Primary Health Network,” she said.
“Currently WML is the biggest organisation in Western NSW responsible for primary health care needs for our local communities. WML delivers a range of services essential to our community in Mental Health, Allied Health, Aboriginal Health, Chronic Disease and Care Coordination. The services are open access and often targeted at vulnerable populations.”
She said in the last nine months, WML has delivered more than 55,000 occasions of service.
“The WML will be building on its relationships with communities, general practice, expertise in change management and a strong relationship with the Western NSW Local Health District to take part in the establishment of the new entities,” Dr Beange said.
“Our primary responsibility in the next year is to maintain the continuity of service provision to the communities and health providers of our region.”
She said the government has also reaffirmed its support for the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) system with $140.60 million for 12 months.
The WML eHealth team will continue to support and work with health professionals and communities across the region.
The government is also committing additional funding to expand the successful headspace networks with new headspace sites to open in the coming years.
Prior to the budget announcements, the Medicare Local Review was published by Professor John Horvath and a number of these recommendations have been delivered through the budget.
“WML anticipated a number of these changes and is ready to fulfil the objectives recommended,” Dr Beange said.