(Photo: DDSWQML)
September 16, 2014
Darling Downs South West Queensland Medicare Local is “funded and will honour contracts, commitments and memberships until June 30, 2015”, chairman Dr Graham Baker said today.
There has been confusion over the ongoing role of DDSWQML – and other Medicare Local organisations throughout Australia – since the announcement in the May Federal Budget that they would be scrapped and replaced with Primary Health Networks (PHNs).
Dr Baker thanked DDSQQML’s “primary health care partners” for their support since the announcement.
“There has been undeniable uncertainty and strain placed on the sector and despite the changes I can assure you our Medicare Local will proceed with purpose in meeting the primary health care needs of communities throughout the Darling Downs and South West,” Dr Baker said.
“It is of the utmost importance to the DDSWQML Board that we provide our partners and stakeholders with what we know to be fact amongst the speculation and rumour throughout this time of change and transition.
“We will endeavour to communicate the most current information to you to ensure that you remain fully informed and aware as the government releases information in regards to formation of Primary Heath Networks.
“I should confirm that Commonwealth funding for Medicare Locals will cease on June 30, 2015, but the Department of Health has made it clear that the future of the Medicare Locals as companies is for the respective Boards to determine.
“My fellow Board directors and I are engaged in a large number of meetings with government and key agencies, to gather information and to substantiate our interest and plans in the movement toward Primary Health Networks.
“As you may be aware, the Australian Medicare Locals Alliance ceased to exist on June 30, 2014. However, Chief Executive Officer Andrew Harvey and I continue to liaise with other Medicare Locals and relevant agencies across the sector, in order to collaborate and share information where appropriate.
“It is important to sustain a good working relationship with our colleagues to endorse future collaboration and to share knowledge and information that could be beneficial to our organisation and our future focus.
“The Department of Health is yet to release exactly how many PHNs will operate across Australia and the PHN boundaries are not yet known.
“PHNs will be decided by a tender process. There is currently no firm information available regarding tender specifications, but it is likely that the details of the tender process will be released in November. We would expect information regarding any boundary changes to be released prior to the release of this information.
“Although there is further change to endure, I can assure you that the DDSWQML is funded and will honour contracts, commitments and memberships until June 30, 2015.
“I further assure you that the needs of our communities and stakeholders will be considered as priorities in making decisions to benefit Primary Health Care networks.”
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