The Strategy takes a broad view of comprehensive primary health care, extending beyond the ‘general practice’ focus of traditional Australian Government responsibility. It includes consideration of services which until now have
been predominantly the responsibility of the states and territories, and those services entirely delivered through private providers, including those supported by private health insurance. Future work under the Strategy will encompass those services identified for transfer to the Australian Government under the NHHN Agreement, including any further services to be transferred by agreement with the states and territories.

Recognising the growing importance and complexity of community-based care, the Strategy also acknowledges the important role of medical specialists, and the need for integration of primary health care with ambulatory specialist care, as well as with other health sectors, including acute care, aged care and Indigenous health services.

The development of the Strategy has been informed by the extensive health reform consultations undertaken by the Australian Government. It has taken into account the advice and expertise provided by the External Reference Group chaired by Dr Tony Hobbs, and has drawn upon the detailed information provided in 265 written submissions that werereceived in response to the Discussion Paper: Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy.