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THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
HEALTH & EDUCATION
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Report highlights nine years of Medicare “neglect” – Reid Member for Robertson Gordon Reid says the recent release of the Federal Government’s Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report highlights the “neglect” of Medicare over the past nine years by the former Liberal Government. “The release of the (report) has highlighted what nine years of neglect and mismanagement does to our health infrastructure,” Reid said. “The report outlines that the former government’s freezing of the Medicare rebate for six years, cuts to healthcare, and lack of action to address low numbers of medical students selecting general practice have led to a decline in the rate of bulk billing, gap fees going up, and difficulties even getting in to see a doctor. “I know first-hand, and continue to understand, the struggles people on the Central Coast are experiencing trying to access affordable healthcare.”
Member for Robertson Gordon Reid looks over the report
As a doctor, Reid has worked in hospital emergency departments in the region. “People tell me often that they cannot access or afford to see a GP, and this is directly linked to the former government’s Medicare rebate freeze and its unwillingness to encourage more medical students to select general practice,” he said. “Consequently, we then have more people presenting to emergency departments, overstretching our hospital
system.” Reid said as the party which created Medicare, Labor was determined to protect and strengthen it. “To start addressing these issues, the Government has allocated $750M to strengthen Medicare and give it muchneeded resuscitation,” he said. Reid said one important element would be the roll-out of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, which will be bulk billed, open seven days, and
have extended operating hours, with two pledged for the Central Coast – one in the south of the region and one in the north. The report gives a raft of recommendations based around the core aims of increasing access to primary care, promoting team-based care, modernising primary care and supporting change management and cultural change. Among key recommendations to improve access are:
providing funding for longer GP consultations; strengthening relationships between GPs and care teams; developing new funding models for remote practices; investing in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs); strengthening funding to support more affordable care, improving access to primary care in the after-hours period; and increasing the availability of primary care services for urgent care needs. In the interests of promoting team-based care, recommendations include: fast-tracking the work to improve the supply and distribution of varied health care workers including GPs; working with states and territories to review barriers and incentives; and supporting local health system integration and person-centred care through Primary Health Networks (PHNs) working with hospitals, GPS, pharmacies and other health bodies. To modernise primary care,
the report recommends: modernising the My Health Record to increase the health information available; better connecting health data across all parts of the health system; investing in better health data for research and evaluation of models of care; providing more primary care IT infrastructure, education and support; and making it easier for Australians to access, manage, understand and share their own health information. The report also recommends: putting consumers and communities at the centre of primary care policy design and delivery; learning from both international and local best practice, and investing in research on primary care excellence; working with providers to help them effectively manage change and transition to new ways of working; supporting the continued development of practice management as a profession; and implementing a staged approach to reform. Terry Collins
Landcare grants for young environmental champions Landcare Australia and Woolworths are on the lookout for primary schools and early learning centres with ideas to connect young people with nature and inspire them to play an active role in the safe future of their environment. The latest round of the Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program is now open, offering the chance to share in $1M to support the development of hands-on environmental learning projects. Grants of up to $1,000 are on offer for projects focussed on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices, enhancing native habitats and deepening First Nations perspectives. This could include planting
School children learning about environmental sustainability
native herbs and plants, helping children learn more about different species of plants, and
their connection to the land and its people. Woolworths Bateau Bay, Lake
Lic: 173676C
Haven, Lake Munmorah and Tuggerah Group Manager, Belinda Page,said that getting children involved with handson activities in and around nature was an incredible way to help them explore sustainability in action. “Over the years, we’ve seen some great ideas from schools and early learning centres that were brought to life and encouraging kids to explore, appreciate and care for the environment around them. “No idea is too small, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead for this next round of applications,” Page said. Through its junior program, Landcare Australia has also worked closely with First
Nations educator and Wiradjuri man, Adam Shipp, to develop environmental learning activities for educators and children to learn more about how they can have a connection to Country. The activities range from exploring First Nations weather, to creating an Indigenous plant-use garden and exploring a First Nations peoples’ languages map. “As a proud Wiradjuri man, I believe it is extremely important that environmental based organisations recognise and work with First Nations groups,” Shipp said. “By teaching younger generations about traditional ways of caring for Country, we
can deepen knowledge of and respect for First Nations culture and practices.” Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish,said Junior Landcare had always recognised the vital role children played in taking care of the natural environment. “As we continue to grow the number of First Nations perspective resources on the Junior Landcare Learning Centre, we are thrilled to be able to support Wyong region children and educators in building their knowledge of Traditional Land Management and Cultural Heritage when it comes to caring for our land and water,” Norrish said. Since launching the program in 2018, more than 3,820 school groups have been supported with more than $4M in funding to help children all across the country get handson with caring for the natural environment. Applications for the 2023 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants are open until March 17 and for more information go online to juniorlandcare.org.au and check out some of the creative ideas the program has already supported and get some tips to bring environmental education and First Nations perspectives into your school or early learning centre. Source: Media release, Feb 10 Woolworths/Landcare Australia