Melanie Regan, APHCRI
 The APHCRI sponsored workshop held Tuesday, 17 February 2009 elicited roundtable dialogue on the discussion paper Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy: A Discussion Paper from the Australian Government (PHCS). John Humphreys, Professor of Rural Health Research at Monash University chaired and APHCRI Director Robert Wells assisted discussions between key stakeholders, researchers and practitioners.
A number of findings from recent APHCRI and international research were incorporated into the discussion, enriching the mix of collaborative exchange and shared expertise, with a guided strategy focus of policy relevance regarding the future of Australian primary health care.
The release of the interim National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Report (NHHRC) issued the day before the workshop on Tuesday, 16 February 2009 offered the added opportunity to examine links between the PHCS and NHHRC documents.
An element of integration between the NHHRC document and PHCS provided a framework for a ‘whole system' approach for primary health care. A review of primary health care requires that funding, governance and continuity of care issues need to be addressed. APHCRI's funded research provides policy relevant evidence that can inform such a review.
Based on APHCRI evidence the panel made recommendations to the Reference Group on key issues raised in the PHCS document and prepared a response to the PHCS document. The recommendation focused on four key areas; Access to Services, Service Delivery, Workforce and Funding. Here is an overview:
ACCESS - APHCRI notes the NHHRC Commission recommendation that the Commonwealth should assume responsibility for primary health care. Successful implementation of this recommendation requires better population based data needs to be gathered for effective delivery of primary health care to meet the needs of local populations. Consumers at the local level need a voice in the organisation of primary health care. eHealth investments will need to be made in proven models providing cost effective treatments.
SERVICE DELIVERY – Funding for primary care practices and practitioners involved in research needs to be provided to further develop research capacity in primary care.
Linkages need to be strengthened between services to provide efficient and effective service utilisation and to minimise service duplication. A National Centre for quality improvement should be supported to improve and further develop primary health care.
WORKFORCE – This is a particular area where APHCRI has substantial, robust evidence. Education and training needs to be underpinned by inter-professional learning to enhance teamwork and core competencies, and clinical placements should be properly supported.
FUNDING – The current funding system needs to be reviewed and revised toward health outcomes, particularly for people with chronic and complex conditions.
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