Medicare Locals - What does it mean?

ERGPA to become a Medicare Local in 2012!

7 November 2011

ERGPA is pleased to announce that we have been selected to form the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local effective 1 July 2012.

The Transition Committee of the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local (EMML) will now focus on preparation activities to become the EMML. The Committee will ensure that all the partners, in particular the GP Members, are clear about what the new organisation is and does, and what their place is within it. We are very excited about the future and encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback with us (email communications@ergpa.com.au).

Or you can visit www.medicarelocal.com.au to contribute your ideas for improving health, or follow us on twitter for updates www.twitter.com/medicarelocal.

Important Links

Details about each of the newly announced Medicare Locals, including profiles, partners and planned activities can be found at http://www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/medilocprofiles

A copy of the Minister's Media Release can be found at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr11-nr-nr231.htm

A copy of the Australian General Practice Network's Media Release can be found at http://www.agpn.com.au/media/media-releases

What's a Medicare Local and why do we need one?

An important part of the Australian Government's National Health Reform involves setting up a nation-wide network of Medicare Locals to better address local health needs, improve access to services and make the system easier for people to navigate.

Medicare Locals are part of plans to shift the focus of health care away from hospitals, instead providing better coordinated primary care (out of hospital care) in the community. This keeps people healthier, reduces hospital stays and puts the spotlight on improving care for those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

Medicare Locals will coordinate primary health care services so patients will find negotiating their way through general practice and other health services much easier, with less paperwork and greater access.

The AGPN have put together the following fact sheets with more information:

Fact Sheet 1 - A snapshot of National Health Reform
Fact Sheet 2 - Transition Development Activities
Fact Sheet 3 - Primary Health Care Organisations explained
Fact Sheet 4 - Information for General Practitioners (GPs) and general practice
Fact Sheet 5 - Information for community stakeholders and consumers

Who will form the Medicare Local in the Outer East?

Medicare Locals will evolve from the current Divisions of General Practice. The boundaries of the Medicare Local announced for the Outer East (called Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local) include the City of Maroondah, the Shire of Yarra Ranges, and the City of Knox. Click here for the map.

The Charter Members of the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local are:

EACH Social and Community Health
Eastern Health
Eastern Ranges GP Association
Greater Eastern Primary Health
Knox Community Health Service
Ranges Community Health
Royal District Nursing Service

These organisations have been meeting regularly to discuss the vision and objectives of the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local.

Over the next couple of years, membership will be extended to include established organisations of primary care providers, as well as organisations that represent the community views and needs such as local government, social services bodies and health researchers.

So how will primary health care improve under Medicare Locals?

Broadly speaking, the Medicare Local will:

Make is easier for patients to find their way around the local health system;
Provide more integrated care between GPs, allied health and related services; and
Ensure more responsive primary health care services that meet the needs and priorities of patients

Here's an example. Currently, parents of a child with a developmental delay, or a person with diabetes, might need to see several different health practitioners, but they face a number of difficulties. One provider may not know what the other is doing, resulting in duplication of tests or lack of follow up. Such problems can be alleviated through sharing of appropriate information.

The new Medicare Local will help this to happen. Shared electronic records will ensure all health providers are aware of a patient's history, and having different agencies and practitioners better coordinate their services will result in patients navigating the health system much more easily. Gaps in services will be identified and filled. Regionally organised primary care will ensure more consistent quality and easier access to health services for all.

Medicare Local will also have responsibility for things like after hours medical services being available to the community (see http://www.ergpa.com.au/programs-services/eastern-ranges-after-hours-medical-service-erahms), and will organise services for people with complex needs, such as chronic mental health issues.

Will my relationship with my GP change?

Not at all. What you will notice over time though, is better access to out-of-hospital services and more information on available health services in your area. Your GP should be better placed to line up the extra service you need.

When will Medicare Locals be formed?

Medicare Locals will be rolled out across the country in three stages. The first tranche of 19 Divisions changing over to Medicare Locals began on July 1, 2011.

A second group of 18 will commence in January 2012. The third group of 20 will commence July 1, 2012. Sixty-two Medicare Locals will be established Australia wide.

So what will Medicare Locals do?

Medicare Locals are intended to help drive and strengthen local primary health care systems. Over time, they will achieve this by:

Establishing better working relationships between community based and hospital based health services. The aim is that people move smoothly in and out of hospital and receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Improving the planning of primary health care services to respond to local needs.
Increasing and enhancing the local primary health care workforce to meet community needs and letting people know of the services available to them
Working to improve disease prevention and management and access to services. Important priorities include setting up an after- hours GP service, tele-health and improved coordinated care for older Australians.
Supporting the development of e-health and health information, including shared electronic health records, the gathering of data to improve health system performance, service planning, monitoring and evaluation.
For the most part, Medicare Locals will work with people and groups who deliver the health services to the public rather than deliver the health services directly from the Medicare Local. Medicare Locals may create new health services in the area that are currently missing out.

How Can I Get Involved?

Throughout 2011 and early 2012, the organisations forming the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local will be consulting with key regional organisations to discuss plans for our Medicare Local and the opportunities it presents to work together.

Membership of Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local will be expanded over time to include a range of organisations. More information for potential members will be released once the initial contract for the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local is announced early next year.

Visit www.medicarelocal.com.au to contribute your ideas for improving health or follow us on twitter for updates www.twitter.com/medicarelocal