ACT Medicare Local (ACTML) has welcomed the announcement by the Commonwealth Government that one Primary Health Network (PHN) will be set up in the ACT.

ACTML Chair Dr Rashmi Sharma said it’s reassuring to consumers and health professionals that the boundary for the ACT PHN remains the same.

“We welcome the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to the importance of a strong primary health care system. As we all know, a locally coordinated and governed system of primary health care plays a critical role in containing the rapid growth of hospital and other high cost care in the face of the challenges such as avoidable hospital admissions and ED care, chronic and complex disease, an ageing population and mental health issues,” said Dr Sharma.

Thirty PHNs will replace 61 Medicare Locals across Australia from 1 July 2015.

“ACTML intends to respond to the tender and the opportunity to form the ACT PHN. The roles and functions of ACTML are closely aligned with the aim of PHNs, with a focus on keeping people well and out of hospital, supporting GPs and other clinicians and connecting care. We’ve been consulting comprehensively about our tender application with stakeholders and our 1,200 members comprising GPs, nurses, pharmacists, allied health providers, consumer and carer and other non-government organisations,” said Dr Sharma.

ACTML is the ACT’s chief primary health care organisation supporting health professionals to improve the delivery of local primary health care services.