Medicare Local After Hours Program

1. Medicare Local After Hours Program

2. After Hours Primary Care Reform Aim • to provide all Australians regardless of where they live, with accessible and effective after hours primary care services Objectives • access to after hours GP telephone advice when needed • local service delivery is well planned, well coordinated and appropriate to community needs • accessible services in both the sociable and unsociable hours • accessible services for disadvantaged groups such as residents of aged-care facilities, home bound, palliative care, etc • patients directed to most appropriate point of care for their condition • better support for health professionals in arranging care for patients

3. After Hours Primary Care Reform Components • after hours GP helpline • Medicare Local After Hours Program

4. after hours GP helpline Commenced 1 July 2011 • 105,545 calls • 62.9% were provided with self-care advice • 19.8% advised to see a GP immediately • 15.9% referred by GP to 000 or emergency • 8.6% were referred to a hospital emergency department because no after hour GP services were available in their area. Note: data is from 6pm 1 July 2011 to midnight 27 February 2012

5. after hours GP helpline • 60% of callers are female • 30% about children 0-5 years of age • top three symptoms - paediatric cough, abdominal pain, paediatric fever • 47.7% NSW; 28.6% WA; 16.8% SA

6. after hours GP helpline Enhancements • National Health Services Directory • Fast Track Support for Health Professionals • Improved continuity of care with PCEHR • Video-conferencing capabilities from July 2012 • Integration with Local Service Delivery

7. Medicare Local After Hours Program Overview: • Stage 1, pre 1 July 2013: planning and gap filling • Stage 2, post 1 July 2013: comprehensive whole of region planned approach

8. Medicare Local After Hours Program Tranche 1 Stage 1 – 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2013 • Known gap filling • Whole of region needs assessment • Whole of region plan

9. Medicare Local After Hours Program Tranche 2 Stage 1 – 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2013 • Whole of region needs assessment • Whole of region plan

10. Medicare Local After Hours Program Tranche 3 Stage 1 – 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 • Sub-region needs assessment • Sub-region plan

11. Medicare Local After Hours Program Funding • Program administration • Service delivery support funding • stage 1 gap filling funding, 2011-13 • funding based on core ML funding formula • indicative amount provided • stage 2 comprehensive funding, July 2013- • includes funding previously provided through GPAH, PIP after hours incentives, as well as additional funding

12. Medicare Local After Hours Program Resources • Stage 1 Guidelines • Supporting resources and templates for needs assessments and plans • Data • Medical Benefits Schedule • Practice Incentive Program After Hours Incentive • General Practice After Hours Program • after hours GP helpline call usage statistics (yet to be provided) • Stage 2 Guidelines

13. Medicare Local After Hours Program Stage 2 - 1 July 2013 onwardsImplementation of comprehensive stage two plan

14. After Hours Reform Evaluation Evaluation • Focuses on all of the components of the after hours reform initiative • To be conducted in two stages: • Stage 1 – expected to start mid-2012 • Stage 2 – mid-2013

15. Medicare Local After Hours Program Roles and Responsibilities • DoHA – Central Office • DoHA – State and Territory Offices • Australian General Practice Network (until 30 June 2012)

16. Thank you Queries can be sent to: afterhoursreform@health.gov.au