Health care to close

By CASEY NEILL
PATIENTS in the outer east could lose vital GP and support programs from next month, according to Greater Eastern Primary Health (GEPH).
The not-for-profit service will close its doors on 30 June after losing federal funding to the government’s new Medicare Local program, and up to 26 staff members face an uncertain employment future.
But Eastern Ranges GP Association (ERGPA) said services would actually expand from 1 July.
Medicare Local was a key component of the government’s National Health Reforms and is a new nation-wide network. The organisations will coordinate primary health care delivery and tackle local health care needs and service gaps.
GEPH runs GP and patient support programs in the Yarra Ranges, Knox and Maroondah like mental health nurse referral, psychology support, and diabetes prevention programs.
GEPH chairwoman Wendy Bissinger said this was at risk because funding would be redirected to the Eastern Metropolitan Medicare Local (EMML) from 1 July.
She said GEPH originally secured ongoing funding through an agreement with new EMML, ERGPA, but the association had rescinded its offer.
“Staff, GPs, and patients are all being put at risk by the scheme,” Dr Bissinger said.
“These services assist some of the most vulnerable people within our community, and it is crucial that we are able to continue to provide these support services to our patients.”
Dr Bissinger said GEPH had raised its concerns with the Department of Health and Ageing and the minister, but they’d fallen on deaf ears.
“While the intention of the Medicare Local program may have been good, the implementation of the policy has been a disaster,” she said.
“The Federal Government has not done enough to ensure that GP and patient services are maintained throughout the Medicare Locals transition process.”
But a Department of Health and Ageing spokeswoman said continuity of Commonwealth-funded services remained the key priority throughout the transition to Medicare Locals.
“The Department of Health and Ageing has been in regular discussions with both ERGPA and GEPH to provide advice and guidance on the transition process to Medicare Locals and will continue to offer this advice over the coming month,” she said.
An ERGPA spokeswoman said EMML would expand services from 1 July.
“We are looking forward to working with the community to develop new services and improve access to existing services under the EMML,” she said.
She said ERGPA offered in May to employ all GEPH staff at EMML.
“The offer was not accepted by the board and management of GEPH within the timeframes agreed,” she said.
“The timeframe was extended, but the board and management still chose not to accept the offer.
“Some staff from GEPH have in fact already been employed by the EMML and we are attempting to work with others on a case-by-case basis to ensure continued employment.”