Australia’s health system is under increasing pressure to provide better quality, affordable and accessible health care, based on universal access to Medicare. A long term strategy is needed, to offer a better patient journey for those with chronic and complex health conditions; to investigate innovative care and funding models; better recognition and treatment of mental health conditions; and greater connection between primary health care and hospital care.

The role of the Primary Health Care Advisory Group was to examine opportunities for the reform of primary health care in improving the management of people with complex and chronic disease.

The Advisory Group was led by Dr Steve Hambleton, the immediate past president of the Australian Medical Association and a practising GP and members included individuals with a wide range of experience and expertise in primary health care services, including allied health, pharmacy and GPs and representative consumer groups. 

This report details the evidence for change and recommends broad adoption of a new model of care and supporting reforms to better meet the needs of Australians with chronic and complex conditions into the future. 

Given the time constraints it has not been possible to cost the model, however the implementation section of the report outlines a staged approach to progressing the model that will include an assessment of affordability. 

Central to the proposed reform is the formalisation of the relationship between the patient with chronic and complex conditions and their Health Care Home: a setting where they can receive enhanced access to holistic coordinated care, and wrap around support for multiple health needs.