PRIME Minister and Lalor MP Julia Gillard has promised better co-ordination of Wyndham and Hobsons Bay’s health services with a new Medicare service to start in July.
A network of ‘Medicare Locals’ is being established around Australia to better integrate GP-led community care, preventive health care and management of chronic conditions.
Ms Gillard said Medicare Locals would help keep people out of hospitals and enhance their access to community healthcare.
“South-western Melbourne Medicare Local will bring together doctors, nurses and other health and ageing professionals to work with local people to identify gaps in the area’s health services and plan for the future,” she said.
“As well as identifying gaps in local health services, Medicare Locals will help patients navigate the health system to find the right services at the right time and place.”
The south-western Melbourne Medicare Local will work with Werribee Mercy Hospital to reduce hospital admissions and people presenting to its emergency department.
Former Westgate General Practice Network chairman Dr Joe Garra welcomed the reforms but said Wyndham’s population explosion continued to place
a heavy strain on the health system.
