HEALTH CARE HOMES TRIAL RECOGNISES PIVOTAL ROLE OF GENERAL PRACTICE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
The AMA welcomes the Government’s vision for Health Care Homes, and its acknowledgement of the pivotal role of general practice in primary health care in Australia, especially in the ongoing treatment of patients with chronic and complex health conditions.
AMA President, Professor Brian Owler, said the AMA is pleased that the Government has endorsed the specialised work of Australia’s hardworking GPs, and the unique role they play in managing patients who need regular personalised care in a familiar environment.
“The concept of the health care home is not new to Australia,” Professor Owler said.
“For many Australians, their local general practice is their health care home and their local GP is their established primary carer – 93 per cent of Australians have a usual general practice, and 66 per cent have a usual GP.
“Today’s announcement that the Government will establish a trial of funding reforms targeting patients with complex and chronic disease will build on and expand this highly efficient model of primary health care.
“The trial will put in place more formal arrangements for patients with complex and chronic disease, with eligible patients enrolling voluntarily with a general practice.
“GPs in Australia, working with other specialists and other health professionals, are already delivering high quality and well-coordinated care for patients.
“The proposed Health Care Home has the potential to build on this established practice - provided we get the new model right.
“The Government's announcement reflects many of the core design principles for a Health Care Home that were recommended by the AMA - including voluntary enrolment, the retention of fee for service for routine care, and a focus on patients with complex and chronic disease – but there are still some unanswered questions.
“How will the changes impact on existing Medicare Chronic Disease funding?
“How will the Health Care Homes funding be administered and structured?
“What is the role of Primary Health Networks?
“What are the eligibility criteria for patients?
“What is the timing of the trial and the potential national rollout of the package?”
Professor Owler said the major missing piece from today’s announcement is the amount and nature of funding for Health Care Homes in the trial period and beyond.
“We need to know if the Government is backing today’s announcement with additional funds to support patient access to care, and how much over what period,” Professor Owler said.
“International evidence shows that countries with a strong primary care system are efficient, and deliver better outcomes for patients, but this requires investment.
“General practice has been the target of repeated funding cuts in recent years.
“If the Government wants today’s announcements to deliver the objectives of better patient health outcomes and reduced pressure on public hospitals, significant new funding is needed.
“Funding must not be diverted from other parts of the health system, especially not public hospitals.”
The AMA welcomes the appointment of a Health Care Home Implementation Advisory Group.
“The new models of care need to be carefully designed and evaluated in the Australian context, and this group will play a critical role,” Professor Owler said.
“It will also be important for the Government to publish the results of the trial before considering a national rollout.
“The AMA will continue to work constructively with the Government as it progresses this important concept in primary health care.”
31 March 2016
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761