After Hours Support Funding 2013-2014Monday 26th November 2012

Program overview

Activity to date

After Hours services in Mackay

After Hours Program – Activity to date

2011/2012Known Gaps Program: • Magnetic Island trial promoting use of 1800 national gp

helpline. • Funding of Emergency Medical Dispatch Officer at Townsville

QAS to receive calls from gp helpline between 10.00pm-8.00am.

• Distribution of promotional materials across Magnetic Island. • Engagement with Magnetic Island Health Service, local

GPs, pharmacy, QAS, primary school, consumer group, holiday rentals, backpackers, supermarkets.

After Hours Program – Activity to date 2012/2013Stage 1 After Hours Program: • Extension of Known Gaps project to Townsville Health Service

District• After Hours General Practice Grants (7 provided across TMML

region)• Emergency medicine skills/triage training to rural areas (Jan-Jun 2013)• Mapping exercise to establish what after hours services are

operating across the TMML region.• Community/consumer consultation regarding availability,

accessibility and affordability of after hours services across TMML region.

• Consultations/negotiations for Stage 2 plan occurring throughout the region.

After Hours Support Funding 2013/2014

2013/2014Stage 2 After Hours Program• After Hours incentive payments will cease to be paid to

practices on 30th June 2013 through the Practice Incentives Program (PIP).

• After Hours funding will be redirected through Medicare Locals to address After Hours care needs in their region.

After Hours Support Funding 2013-2014

2013/2014Stage 2 After Hours Program:Medicare Locals are required to develop a stage two plan for the comprehensive funding and support arrangements for after hours primary health care service provision in their region from 1 July 2013. The stage two plan is expected to build on the stage one plan and consider the long term after hours needs of the entire region as opposed to focusing on priority gaps in after hours care. Medicare Locals must consider all key elements of Key Reporting Area (KRA) 6 of the Medicare Local Operational Guidelines in their stage two plan activities.

(Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing – Guidelines for Medicare Locals Stage 2 After Hours implementation)

Key element 1

• Integrate locally tailored after hours primary health care services so they are congruent with national primary health care services and infrastructure, including the after hours GP helpline.

Key element 2

• Ensure that local communities, including disadvantaged groups and infrequent users of health care services are provided with accessible and effective after hours primary health care services throughout the whole after hours period, including home visiting services when appropriate.

Key element 3

• Build on existing services and local arrangements. The establishment of new services should only be considered where there is an identified need and it is not plausible to build on an existing service.

Key element 4

• Support health professionals to continue to maintain existing after hours services that meet the identified needs of the community.

Key element 5• Ensure local communities are well informed about after

hours primary health care services and their appropriate use

Guiding Principles for After Hours Care for Medicare Locals

ACCESSIBLE CARE: • Appropriate• Timely• Accessible• Affordable• Equitable

See handout for further details

EFFECTIVE CARE:• Continuity of care• Coordinated• Quality & Safety• Efficient• Sustainable

After Hours Services currently operating in Mackay

Practices offering extended opening hours (after 6pm weekdays and 1pm Saturday’s):

• Mater Private After Hours Service

• Mackay Family Medical Practice (Sunday 9am – 2pm)

• Slade Point Surgery (Sunday 10am – 2pm)

• Mackay City Medical (option to phone the GP for a home visit for a fee alternatively attend Mater After Hours Service)