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Canberra Today 15°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Medicare Local is dead, long live the Capital Health Network

Simon Corbell feature crop

SIMON Corbell has launched the Capital Health Network, a primary health network intended to improve and better coordinate care across the ACT’s health system for patients requiring care from multiple providers, or at risk of poor health outcomes.

“Capital Health Network replaces ACT Medicare Local as a result of the 2014 Commonwealth Government decision to replacing 61 Medicare Locals across Australia with 31 primary health networks, Simon said.

“Earlier this year, the ACT Medicare Local was confirmed as the successful applicant to form the new primary health network for Canberra – the Capital Health Network.

“Capital Health Network will work directly with GPs, other primary health care providers, secondary health care providers and hospitals to improve care across the local health system.

“Having the Capital Health Network working as the ACT’s dedicated primary health network in our small geographical footprint will foster even stronger ties with existing stakeholders to achieve better health outcomes and better care for the community.

“The transition from ACT Medicare Local to the Capital Health Network will also mean that established relationships and joint initiatives already underway will continue without disruption, such as HealthPathways, support for HIV counselling and GP education, and the Palliative Care Network.

“A strong primary health system and mutual engagement in planning processes is key to the provision of safe, efficient and equitable health care for all Canberrans.

“We can also take advantage of our strong collaborative partnership with the Capital Health Network to trial and evaluate new ideas and initiatives in the ACT.”

The six Commonwealth Government priorities for the primary health networks include mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population health, health workforce, eHealth and aged care.

“All of these priorities are relevant to the ACT, and having a national focus on these issues, through the primary health networks, will facilitate progress at a local level,” Mr Corbell said.

To learn more about the new Capital Health Network visit: capitalhn.com.au.

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