Canberrans will benefit from stronger collaboration to improve primary care under a new agreement between the ACT Government and Capital Health Network.
The Health and Community Services Directorate and Capital Health Network have formalised their ongoing partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which sets out a shared commitment to joint planning, stronger collaboration in commissioning initiatives, and targeted action in priority areas to support improvements in primary health care for all Canberrans.
The agreement prioritises:
- attraction, retention, and sustainability of the primary care workforce
- improving access to affordable and accessible care across the ACT, including the implementation of bulk-billing initiatives, and
- integration and coordination across primary care through improved data sharing, referral pathways, and communication.
The agreement includes a specific focus on workforce, populations at risk of poor health outcomes, and affordable and accessible care, including after-hours care.
It reflects the ACT Government's ongoing commitment to increasing access to GPs, working with the Commonwealth Government as it delivers three new bulk billing GP clinics and expands access to the tripled bulk billing incentive.
Future priorities for the partnership will be based on ACT and national policy direction, system needs, and input and advice from key stakeholders.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said enhanced collaboration on priority areas for primary care will strengthen the health system and improve outcomes for the ACT community.
"This MoU is an important step in ensuring our health system is more connected and responsive to the needs of our growing and diverse community," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"We know that achieving better outcomes for our community means working in a streamlined, collaborative and transparent way. That's why the Capital Health Network and other community partners are already represented on the ACT Health System Council.
"By formalising this agreement, the Health and Community Services Directorate and Capital Health Network have committed to working together to achieve better health outcomes and make it easier for people to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
"I am pleased that the MOU prioritises support for the primary care workforce who deliver exceptional care every day. By sustaining and strengthening this workforce, we can help ensure Canberrans are better able to maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing."
View the MoU between the Health and Community Services Directorate and Capital Health Network.
Quotes attributable to Stacy Leavens, CEO, Capital Health Network:
"This MoU with the Health and Community Services Directorate will enhance a connected health system to support the health and wellbeing of Canberrans.
"To do this, it is essential that we have a stable, satisfied and sustainable primary health care workforce. This MoU will help us to support the valuable primary health care workforce, the backbone of primary health care.
"It will also allow us to work together to better deliver solutions to improve access and experience across the health system, especially for people at-risk of poor health outcomes."
