Recommendation 11 MDSs play a critical role in after hours care. However, the rapid increase in deputising service utilisation of MBS items raises questions around the appropriateness of a purely fee-for-service funding model for the sector. Funding for MDSs should be considered to strike a better balance between infrastructure and activity based funding for a sector with unpredictable and uneven service demand. MDSs are accredited deputising services and access to after hours should happen via a patient’s regular general practice, rather than through direct marketing. Recommendation 12 The After Hours GP Helpline (AHGPH) was incepted to relieve after hours pressure on regional and rural General Practitioners (GPs) and support GP continuity of care. However there is limited evidence that this has occurred. Direct Commonwealth funding to the AHGPH should not continue in its current form beyond the completion of the 30 June 2015 contract, with funding reallocated to support innovative after hours services delivery locally. A need to relieve pressure on GPs in regional and areas and improve the continuity of care after hours remains a priority. Therefore population based after hours planning should identify the need for GP phone support, best linkages and application. Innovation funding for this purpose should be available for PHNs that submit appropriate applications, endorsed by local stakeholders. Recommendation 13 Many stakeholders identified after hours care as only one component of high quality comprehensive general practice care. Other elements included in hours service flexibility, eHealth excellence, comprehensive chronic disease management and effective integration of care. This Review recommends the further development of the PIP to recognise and reward the practice infrastructure required to deliver to Australians high quality comprehensive primary care. This should be progressed by the PIPAG. Executive Summary Attachment A
Recommendation 11 MDSs play a critical role in after hours care. However, the rapid increase in deputising service utilisation of MBS items raises questions around the appropriateness of a purely fee-for-service funding model for the sector. Funding for MDSs should be considered to strike a better balance between infrastructure and activity based funding for a sector with unpredictable and uneven service demand. MDSs are accredited deputising services and access to after hours should happen via a patient’s regular general practice, rather than through direct marketing. Recommendation 12 The After Hours GP Helpline (AHGPH) was incepted to relieve after hours pressure on regional and rural General Practitioners (GPs) and support GP continuity of care. However there is limited evidence that this has occurred. Direct Commonwealth funding to the AHGPH should not continue in its current form beyond the completion of the 30 June 2015 contract, with funding reallocated to support innovative after hours services delivery locally. A need to relieve pressure on GPs in regional and areas and improve the continuity of care after hours remains a priority. Therefore population based after hours planning should identify the need for GP phone support, best linkages and application. Innovation funding for this purpose should be available for PHNs that submit appropriate applications, endorsed by local stakeholders. Recommendation 13 Many stakeholders identified after hours care as only one component of high quality comprehensive general practice care. Other elements included in hours service flexibility, eHealth excellence, comprehensive chronic disease management and effective integration of care. This Review recommends the further development of the PIP to recognise and reward the practice infrastructure required to deliver to Australians high quality comprehensive primary care. This should be progressed by the PIPAG. Executive Summary Attachment A
Review-of-after-hours-primary-health-care.docx