Western Victoria PHN represented on Strengthening Medicare Taskforce
Western Victoria PHN (WVPHN) will have representation on the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce established as part of incoming government election commitments. The incoming government has committed to the creation of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce to identify the best ways to boost affordability, improve access, and better support patients with ongoing chronic illness.
The Taskforce will be chaired by the Minister for Health and will include representatives from primary care leadership bodies. Learne Durrington (CEO Western Australia Primary Health Alliance and Chair of the PHN National Cooperative) will represent PHNs on this taskforce.
Regional Integrated Councils Meeting Summary
WVPHN has two dedicated Regional Integrated Councils – a clinical and a community council – each with representatives from the four sub regions of Ballarat and Goldfields, Wimmera and Grampians, Geelong Otway and Great South Coast.
Our clinical council ensures our board’s processes are informed by clinical expertise while the community council helps us draw from the knowledge and experience of people living in our region.
The latest meeting was held yesterday on Tuesday, 12 July in Ballarat. Discussions held were on the following subjects:
- Workforce Strategy
- WVPHN is currently developing a Workforce Strategy by conducting and supporting intensive consultations with primary care providers, peak bodies, and other key stakeholders. To ensure that we have adequately captured and considered the real-world impact of the workforce challenges in western Victoria, we have conducted a data review, a literature review and are currently undergoing intensive consultation with a range of key stakeholders
- WVPHN 2023-2025 Strategy Process
- Discussion around trends and issues to consider including regional and remote issues
The next meeting is due to be held on 6 and 7 September. You can read more about purpose of the Regional Integrated Councils and its members on our website.
National Diabetes Week – 10-16 July
This week is National Diabetes Week (running until 16 July) and I encourage health professionals in western Victoria to visit the HealthPathways diabetes pages.
In year three of the ‘Heads Up on Diabetes’ campaign, Diabetes Australia will be focusing on challenging diabetes related stigma and asking us to have a conversation about the real impact this can have on a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
For more information, please visit the Diabetes Australia website.
Rowena Clift
Chief Executive Officer