These measures aim to improve primary care for all Australians with a focus on 4 priority areas:
- increasing access to primary care
- encouraging multidisciplinary team-based care
- modernising primary care
- supporting change management and cultural change.
PHNs play a central role in supporting primary care providers to understand and respond to reform initiatives such as MyMedicare and changes to the bulk billing, aged care and workforce incentive programs. Our aim is to ensure primary care businesses are supported to successfully transition to new ways of working, and patients understand and actively participate in their care.
PHNs play a commissioning role in strengthening Medicare, through our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and localised multidisciplinary programs that connect general practice with allied health, pharmacy, aged care and other providers.
PHNs also have an advocacy role, providing local insights and advice to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Primary Care and Workforce Reviews Taskforce.
Strengthening Medicare activities are supported by the Australian Government.
