Better outcomes for people with chronic & complex health conditions
Earlier this week, Health Minister Sussan Ley together with the Primary Health Care Advisory Group, released a discussion paper on possible reform options for primary health care in Australia. The discussion paper sets out the case for change and introduces some possible options to improve primary health care for people with chronic and complex conditions.
Proposals in the paper include those aimed at improving disease management, coordination of care, equity and patient participation through possible reforms such as:
- Enrolling people to a single health provider who would coordinate the patient’s multi-disciplinary care needs
- Establishing defined packages of care for chronic disease.
The Advisory Group wants to engage with anyone who has an interest in strengthening primary health care, including patients, carers, health care providers, doctors and other health professionals. Consultation with these groups will help the Advisory Group develop short, medium and long term options for the Government’s consideration.
How can health consumers get involved?
Public information briefings
Health consumers have the opportunity to attend briefings about proposals for reforms to primary care arrangements. There will be a series of 18 public briefings across Australia, starting next week on 10 August 2015. This will be of particular interest to people with chronic and complex health conditions.
Victoria will host two public briefings:
- Melbourne – Wednesday, 12 August 2015 2:00 PM at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf Promenade, Melbourne
- Geelong – Thursday, 13 August 2015 9:00 AM at Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus, John Hay Building, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong
For information on all the other public briefings, please visit the Department of Health’s website.
To register your interest in attending a public briefing, please email PHCAGRegistration@health.gov.au indicating your preferred session and location and the number of people attending.
Nationwide webcast
For those not able to attend the public briefings, a national webcast will be held on Friday, 21 August. The link to the National Webcast will be published on the Department of Health’s website closer to the event.
Online survey
An online survey has been released today seeking formal feedback on the discussion paper. The survey closes on Thursday, 3 September 2015.
Other useful documents
- Consumer factsheet designed to provide an overview of themes being considered to assist patients and carers in participating in the consultation process.
- Background paper which provides an overview of Australia’s primary health care system and examines alternative systems employed overseas.
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