Primary Health Care Reform

NT Medicare Local is one of 62 Medicare Locals mapped across Australia and is scheduled to commence on 1 July 2012

Nicola Roxon's Letter of 4/11/2011 : 38 Organisations Named to Drive Primary Health Care Reform (41 kb)

Medicare Locals will have a number of key roles in improving primary health care services for local communities.    

• They will make it easier for patients to access the services they need, by linking local GPs, nursing and other health professionals, hospitals and aged care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, and maintaining up to date local service directories.
• They will work closely with Local Hospital Networks to make sure that primary health care services and hospitals work well together for their patients.
• They will plan and support local after hours face-to-face GP services.
• They will identify where local communities are missing out on services they might need and coordinate services to address those gaps.
• They will support local primary care providers, such as GPs, practice nurses and allied health providers, to adopt and meet quality standards.
• They will be accountable to local communities to make sure the services are effective and of high quality.

Medicare Local National Body

The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)  proposal to form the Medicare Local national body, has been accepted by the Government.
  

Northern Territory Medicare Local

The Northern Territory Medicare Local Partners 
        
                                

 The partners have a history of working collaboratively to improve Aboriginal health outcomes through Closing the Gap initiatives, particularly working with the Orientation Program for the Chronic Disease Workforce and the Foundation of Rehabilitation with Aboriginal Alcohol Related Difficulties in the Northern Territory.

The NT Medicare Local will:

• Network with the Top End and Central Australian Local Hospital Networks, and Local Lead Clinician Groups, to better co-ordinate care at both hospital and community levels
• Aim to help all Territorians access the right services, in the right place, at the right time

• A Not For Profit Company Limited by Guarantee under the Australian Corporations Act 2001
• Founding members GPNNT, AMSANT and NTG Department of Health
• Skills based Board comprising 9 Independent Directors appointed for periods of up to 3 years. Directors need to have governance skills and broad health sector experience, no craft group may dominate
• Minimum 3 Directors will be persons of Australian Aboriginal descent
• Steering Group, Transition Manager and Inaugural Board to lead the way 

• Clinical Governance
• Consumer Advisory Group
• Service Provider
• NT Health Planning
• Mental Health /AODS
• Aged Care
• After Hours GP Services 

• Formal funding agreement negotiations with the Commonwealth commence 22 February 2012
• Implementation of the Transition Plan to form the Medicare Local which is to start operation from 1 July 2012
• Medicare Local Steering Group comprising Partners established to guide the development of the new company
• GPNNT to ensure business as usual until 30 June 2012 and a smooth transition of all programs and staff to the NT Medicare Local

How will program delivery be affected?
All services, programs and activities currently provided by General Practice network NT will transfer to the Northern Territory Medicare Local on 30 June 2012,and as required by the Australian Government these services will not be halted.