Community turns out for NCML launch events academics. The media supported the launch of NCML by placing brief articles and community service announcements about our public meetings in newspapers, on radio and television and we were pleased at the number of people who came to public meetings. It was interesting to note that at every meeting people wanted to stay back and talk more about NCML – a sure sign of community interest. NCML is organising a gathering of interested people
who attended the public launch meetings to further discuss particular health care issues. Below is a brief summary of the meetings and the particular concerns raised.
We are pleased with the enthusiastic response from the community to NCML.
Ballina A VIP Roundtable event and a public meeting were held in Ballina at the RSL Club. The main discussion topics were: How to best support efficient primary health care, especially in the face of an ageing population Better coordinated care needed - good health starts in the home, not the hospital. Need to improve the patient experience and focus on
practical issues such as transport Better connected primary health care State-government funding of primary health care Proposal that NCML manages the ‘grey zone’ between state and federal funding Lack of connectivity between hospital and general practice/specialists/allied health Promote choice for patients, including indigenous people. General practice to be a gateway, not a gatekeeper.
Dan Ewald addresses the Balliina Roundtable meeting.
Casino Finding a fulltime GP for Bonalbo and boosting its hospital services were the main topics of the night at the meeting at Casino RSM Club. A pharmacist also wanted to know how best he could get involved with NCML. This was a small meeting as Bonalbo was the main topic at Casino. a few weeks earlier a well-attended gathering of health professionals and community members was held in Casino.
HealthSpeak
spring 2012
NCML’s Michael Carter, Chris Clark and Peter Gibson.
Community members were keen to hear about NCML.
15
NCML Launch
During the month of June, North Coast Medicare Local’s CEO, Vahid Saberi, NCML’s Chair Dr Tony Lembke, Board members Dr David Gregory, Dr Peter Ackerley, Dr Ray Jones, Dr Di Blanckensee; Dr Dan Ewald and Dr Helena Johnstone took part in presenta-
tions to both VIP events and public meetings, introducing North Coast Medicare Local (NCML) to the community and talking about its role and aims. While each location had its own particular flavour, depending upon the venue and those attending and the local issues, overwhelmingly these 14 meetings involved a positive exchange of ideas. The roundtable presentations met with an enthusiastic response from politicians, area health and hospital representatives, clinicians and