Primary Health Strategy
The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, announced on 11 June 2008 that the Rudd Government will develop a National Primary Health Care Strategy to better tackle the health challenges of the 21st century, and make sure that families can get the health care they need.
The Strategy will look at how to deliver better frontline care to families across Australia, with priorities including:
- Better rewarding prevention.
- Promoting evidence-based management of chronic disease.
- Supporting patients with chronic disease to manage their condition.
- Supporting the role GPs play in the health care team.
- Addressing the growing need for access to other health professionals, including practice nurses and allied health professionals like physiotherapists and dieticians.
- Encouraging a greater focus on multidisciplinary team-based care.
The Reference Group is chaired by Dr Tony Hobbs – a GP Obstetrician at Cootamundra in the NSW Riverina district, and also the Immediate Past Chair of the Australian General Practice Network.
Work on the Strategy will link with current related health reform processes, including the development of the Australian Health Care Agreements, the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, and the Preventative Health Strategy. Alongside development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy, the Department of Health and Ageing is also undertaking a review of MBS primary care items – with a focus on simplifying the primary care item structure, reducing red tape and giving more support to preventative health care.
A draft Strategy is expected to be available for the Minister’s consideration by mid-2009.