THE Hunter’s vital after-hours health service has been given a late reprieve by the federal government, which has guaranteed its future for at least the next 12 months.
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The Newcastle Herald reported last week that about 50,000 patients a year would be forced back into overcrowded hospital emergency departments by the end of June if the government didn’t secure the future of GP Access After Hours.
The government had declined to allocate it funding in this month’s budget, which prompted four Hunter Labor MPs to declare Tony Abbott had missed his last chance to save the service. Following a week of widespread community outrage and a petition, which garnered 2000 signatures, Hunter Medicare Local chairman Trent Watson revealed on Friday that the Department of Health had advised it would continue the funding for 12 months. He was pleased the service would be retained and thanked the community for its support.
‘‘The level of support has no doubt clearly demonstrated to the government and Department of Health how greatly appreciated and valued this service is by our community,’’ Dr Watson said.
He said as well as the 12-month guarantee, the Department of Health had provided a list of principles that would be used to commission after-hours services over the long term.
The Hunter’s Labor MPs were pleased the funds had been allocated, but critical of the way the government treated GP Access and the community.
‘‘The community came out in force to defend this highly valued service – thousands of people signed my petition, letters were written and phone calls made,’’ said Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, who had advocated for funding for the service before last week’s budget.
‘‘We made sure our community’s voice was heard loud and clear and the government has finally reacted.’’
GP Access After Hours employs about 100 nursing, administrative and call centre staff at clinics at Belmont Hospital, John Hunter, Maitland, Calvery Mater and Westlakes Community Health Centre at Toronto.
THE future of the GP Access After Hours has been guaranteed for at least the next 12 months after the federal government secured funding for the vital service.
The Newcastle Herald reported last week that about 50,000 patients a year would be forced back into already overcrowded hospital emergency departments by the end of June if the government didn’t continue the service.
The announcement comes on the back of pressure from four Hunter Labor MPs after the federal government declined to allocate the service funding in this month’s budget.
Hunter Medicare Local Chairman Trent Watson said the Department of Health had advised that: ‘‘after hours funding allocation for the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network will allow for the provision of funding to continue the GP Acess After Hours service’’.
Mr Watson said he was pleased the service would continue and acknowledged the ‘‘overwhelming support’’ from the community over the last week.
‘‘While the current announcement covers the next 12 months we are very pleased that the Department of Health has also provided a list of principles that will be used to commission after hours services over the longer term,’’ Mr Watson said.
‘‘All of these principles are integral to the operation of the GP Access After Hours service and, provided these principles are used into the future, we can have confidence over the long-term future of GP Access After Hours service.’’
The list of principles advised by the Department of Health for commissioning after hours services within their regions may include (but are not limited to):
*Filling gaps in and improving access to after hours services, particularly for vulnerable populations and other groups not well serviced by historical after hours arrangements, for example in ruraland remote areas.
*Addressing the lack of or inequity of access to, after hours services in rural and remote areas as a result of the cessation of the after hours GP helpline.
*Improving patient outcomes through working collaboratively with health professionals and services to integrate and facilitate a seamless patient experience.
*Addressing fragmentation and implementing systems to support effective communication across after hours service providers.
*Working with local after hours stakeholders.
*Fostering local level solutions.
*increasing consumer awareness.
