Health Reform Update:

The Australian Government released the
Strengthening Medicare Taskforce report this month.

This report addresses the future of primary care which is now an urgent consideration for all those concerned with ensuring the health of the community.

Debate on the critical role of primary care is growing and a number of reports that outline the challenges within primary care have recently been released.
While relatively short the strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report signals some major changes ahead for the health system and a strengthened role for primary health networks.

The report highlights changes to funding models, a
commitment to multidisciplinary team-based care, better use of data and digital technology and support for change management and cultural change.

We will need to wait until the May budget for much of the detail but in the meantime CESPHN will be undertaking advocacy on matters that have been raised to ensure primary care providers are supported to provide high quality and affordable care.