University of Queensland (UQ) Medical Alumnus and Professor of Primary Care Research Professor Claire Jackson has been appointed to lead an Australian Government review of after-hours primary healthcare services.
The former President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said the review would consider the operation of after-hours services when the Medicare Local arrangements end in June 2015.
“The review will provide recommendations regarding the appropriate and effective delivery of after-hours services nationally,” Professor Jackson said.
The review was recommended in the Australian Government’s March 2014 Report into Medicare Locals and is now underway.
Its terms of reference will seek to clarify the role of general practitioners in after-hours arrangements, policy implications, delivery strategies, infrastructure support and engagement with the private sector.
Professor Jackson said the process would provide a unique opportunity to review and improve delivery of after-hours services at a national level.
“Primary care reform is a complex and fluid focus and this work combines with other recent reviews to ensure all communities receive high-quality and accessible health services,” Professor Jackson said.
“The review will also offer opportunities to identify and encourage innovative practice.
“Consumer needs and the challenges experienced in rural and remote regions will be examined as well as previous evaluations of the current program.”
The report will be delivered to the Government by 31 October 2014.
Professor Jackson is a general practitioner and student supervisor at Camp Hill Health Care and former head of general practice and primary health care at UQ’s School of Medicine.
Media: Bernadette Condren, Media Manager, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, 07 3346 5309, b.condren@uq.edu.au, www.mbs.uq.edu.au.
