Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan said patients in Page are set to receive better access to frontline health services following the announcement of who will be running new Primary Health Networks locally.
Primary Health Networks – or PHNs – are part of the Abbott Government’s plans to improve the health of the nation and will replace Medicare Locals from July 1.
North Coast Medicare Local has been appointed to run the Primary Health Network on the North Coast
“The Federal Government wants to ensure the people of Page are able to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time and Primary Health Care networks form a core part of our plan,” Mr Hogan said.
“The key difference between Primary Health Networks and Medicare Locals is that PHNs will focus on improving access to frontline services, not backroom bureaucracy as we saw under the previous government.
“This is backed by the fact PHNs will deliver improved access to primary care services for local patients, as well as better co-ordination with local hospitals, while at the same time improving the overall operational efficiency of the network by 30 per cent.”
The nation’s 31 new Primary Health Networks will better align with state Local Hospital Networks.
Mr Hogan said PHNs would work directly with GPs, other primary health care providers, secondary care providers, hospitals and the broader community to ensure improved outcomes for patients.
“In addition to general health, the Federal Government had also set PHNs six key priorities for targeted work in mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population health, health workforce, eHealth and aged care,” he said.
Mr Hogan said the Government had also added additional checks and balances via the creation of PHN Community Advisory Committees, which will ensure all patients and local communities can provide feedback to, and have direct input into, the PHN to ensure they deliver the localised health care requirements that were unique to their region.
PHNs were selected following a thorough tender process run at arm’s length by the Department of Health.
