FIVE medical clinics in the Dunkley electorate will be part of a nationwide trial of a Health Care Home program enabling people with difficult and complex health problems to remain at home rather than be forced to stay in a hospital.
The program was announced as part of this month’s federal budget. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said Health Care Homes services will tailor care to individual patients’ health circumstances in consultation with GPs.
“This is an Australian first and although I will be guided by our GPs and those patients taking part, I am hopeful that if the program is a success we will continue to roll it out,” Mr Hunt said in a statement.
Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther and Mr Hunt visited Peninsula Family General Practice in Frankston last week to announce the trial in the area.
Mr Crewther said doctors say patients living with diseases such as cancer and diabetes would benefit from the new program.
“Patients of GP clinics in five locations across the electorate will be eligible to take part in the program which will see their GP develop a plan which coordinates support from other medical specialists and nurses.”
Total Care Medical Group (Frankston), Frankston Healthcare, Headspace Frankston Youth Health Clinic, Peninsula Family General Practice and Mornington Medical Trust are the five clinics taking part in the Health Care Home trial.
The $110 million program will be rolled out in stages to be available at 200 clinics across Australia by December.
First published in the Mornington News – 23 May 2017
