THE community can look forward to better access to frontline health services in response to local needs.
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A new system of 31 primary health networks, with a focus on results, will replace 61 Medicare Locals across the nation on July 1. They will reshape the delivery of primary health care.
The North Coast Medicare Local was successful in its bid to operate the North Coast Primary Health Network which includes Port Macquarie.
North Coast Medicare Local chief executive officer Vahid Saberi said the priority in the first instance was not to disrupt what the community needed and the group would negotiate with the Commonwealth to ensure that happened.
He said the emphasis was on about providing solutions drawing on a process of clinician-led collective decision making.
Mr Saberi said the primary health network would involve a different way of thinking, planning and delivering.
"If we do it well, which we intend to do, it will bring a strong community and clinician voice locally and regionally," he said.
North Coast Medicare Local Board chairman Dr Tony Lembke said the primary health networks would work directly with general practice, other health care providers, hospitals and the broader community to improve outcomes, access and qualit.y
Health Minister Sussan Ley said primary health networks would work directly with GPs, other primary health care providers, secondary care providers, hospitals and the broader community to ensure improved outcomes for patients.
In addition to general health, the federal government had set six key priorities for targeted work in mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population health, health workforce, e-health and aged care.
Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie hopes it will be a seamless transition.
"Hopefully existing services will continue as much as they can but they have to meet key performance indicators and that might require some change in substance or style," he said.
Dr Gillespie said the Coalition government wanted to ensure the people of the Mid-North Coast were able to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time and primary health care networks formed a core part of the government's plan.
lisa.tisdell@fairfaxmedia.com.au