Govt unveils primary health draft plan

The draft of Australia's National Primary Health Care Strategy has been released
after more than 260 submissions in response to the discussion paper.
The primary care strategy, designed to follow up on the work of the National Health
and Hospital Reform Commission, focuses on the care delivered by GPs and health
professionals such as physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmacists and midwives.
Releasing the draft on Monday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Health Minister Nicola
Roxon and Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon fielded questions at a forum of
medical professionals at Perth's Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Mr Rudd said the forum was part of the national conversation the government had
begun on health since the reform commission's report.
Held at what Mr Rudd said was one of Australia's busiest hospitals, it was the tenth
of the government's consultations in cities around the country.
"The government is determined to get health reform right," Mr Rudd told the forum.
"Stakeholder input has been crucial in developing the draft strategy, with more than
260 submissions received in response to the discussion paper."
An external reference group including primary health care experts from around
Australia had helped develop the draft strategy, he said.
It provided "the next level of detail that sits below the commission's broad
priorities".
"It provides us with a draft roadmap to guide future policy and practice in primary
care in Australia, ensuring we are building a system the cares for the most
vulnerable in our community and a system that is connected with the patient at the
centre," he said.