Couzos, Sophie (2016) How to reform primary health care to close the gap. The Conversation, 4 April 2016. pp. 1-4.

Preview

PDF (Scholarly Blog Post) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

[Extract] Primary Health Networks were established in 2015 to reform the primary health-care system and better coordinate care across Australia.

A range of services make up the primary care system in Australia. These include private general practices, community health centres within hospitals, and Aboriginal community-controlled health services. There are 31 primary health network boundaries across Australia, managed by a local board and funded by the Australian government.

A core focus for primary health networks is to understand the health-care needs of their communities, identify service gaps and focus on patients at risk of poor health outcomes. Among the priority patient groups are Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.

Recently, funding to primary health networks for ice and mental health programs was announced. This came with the expectation that primary health networks will work closely with Aboriginal community-controlled health services "to make sure we get those Indigenous treatment services right", according to the minister for rural health.

The new Health Care Home trials will also involve Aboriginal health services. This requires primary health networks to collaborate with these services to build relevant patient health-care pathways. How can primary health networks work closely with these services?

Item ID:	44630
Item Type:	Article (Commentary)
Additional Information:	We believe in the free flow of information. We use a Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivatives license, so you can republish our articles for free, online or in print.
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2016 06:26
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111701 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111717 Primary Health Care @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920208 Health Inequalities @ 34% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions) @ 33% 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920207 Health Policy Evaluation @ 33%
Downloads:	Total: 95 Last 12 Months: 6
	More Statistics