Australian primary health care centres: De facto super clinics? — Letter
Publication Details
Brett, T. D. (2009). Australian primary health care centres: De facto super clinics? Medical Journal of Australia, 191(2), 70.
Abstract
To the Editor: The growing burden of chronic disease, an ageing population and recurring workforce pressures have been identified as three key challenges facing Australia’s health care system.1 Coping with these challenges involves developing strategies to ensure equity in access2 to health services, better preventive health measures and a more patient-centred health service — all with a focus on better health outcomes for Australians.
In its discussion paper informing the development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy, the Australian Government sees general practitioner Super Clinics taking “an integrated and co-ordinated approach to delivering sustainable and efficient multidisciplinary models of care”,1 including chronic disease management in areas of high need. While laudable, this approach fails to acknowledge many of the outstanding services already available through existing community-based practices.
Keywords
peer-reviewed
