ACT Division of General Practice (ACTDGP) believes the ACT is well placed to move ahead with reform to the primary health care system.
Primary health care is the frontline of Australia’s health system and General Practice is the foundation of good primary health care. Central to the Commonwealth Government’s national health reform agenda is establishing Medicare Locals to enable primary health care services to be better coordinated.
ACTDGP President Dr Rashmi Sharma said ACTDGP is anticipating receiving an invitation to apply to become the ACT Medicare Local.
“Canberrans will find it easier to access the care they need as the ACT Medicare Local will have strong links to Local Hospital Networks, health professionals, service providers and local communities,” Dr Sharma said.
“We will see improved patient health outcomes as streamlined delivery of care is increased, particularly for people in the community with a chronic condition. Patients will be better able to negotiate a complex health system.”
Chronic disease already accounts for more than 80% of the burden of disease suffered by Australians. The majority of chronic care is managed in the community by general practitioners and other health professionals.
In addition, Canberra is facing challenges such as an ageing and growing population and increased health costs. Proposed health reforms would better position ACT primary health services to face these challenges.
“Health reform would allow General Practice to build on years of investment, intellectual capital and well established relationships with ACT Health and allied health to improve the efficiency of the health system,” said Dr Sharma.
Good primary health care lowers rates of hospitalisation, reduces costs and minimises health inequalities, leading to better health outcomes including lower mortality. ACTDGP is confident the ACT is poised to meet the challenge.