... and investing in GP and primary health care
Nathan enrols with his general practice to help manage his newly diagnosed diabetes condition through the Government's diabetes management program.
His GP prepares a care plan which identifies the services he will require over the next 12 months, including those of a podiatrist, a dietician and a diabetes educator.
Nathan's general practice is funded to provide care for his diabetes management and for his ongoing GP primary health care. The practice also organises access to the other care Nathan requires.
Infrastructure funding for more GP Super Clinics
The Government is investing $355 million over three years to build more GP Super Clinics across the country to provide a comprehensive range of services in a single location. An additional 23 new GP Super Clinics will be constructed, and approximately 425 existing general practices and primary care facilities will be upgraded to assist with the delivery of team based care to provide similar services.
Coordinated care for Australians with diabetes
A $449 million investment over four years will improve the quality of care for Australians living with diabetes, who currently make up 32 per cent of all avoidable hospital admissions and comprise over half of avoidable admissions of those with chronic conditions.
Patients will be able to enrol with a general practice of their choice, which will receive funding for every enrolled patient. GPs will use these funds to cover the costs of providing GP services, and to purchase other vital services from podiatrists, dieticians and diabetes educators.
The Government will work with patient and health consumer representatives and key primary health care groups, including GPs and allied health providers, to develop a performance framework.
The Government expects that nearly 260,000 diabetic patients and 60 per cent of all GPs will sign up to the program in 2012‑13, its first year of operation.
Potentially preventable hospitalisations for chronic conditions, 2007‑08
