WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community. Service Provider Connect #99 - 12 June 2024 In this edition:
Executive General Manager’s foreword
Procurement and contracting - New Head of Contract Management & Procurement
- Supporting Recovery pilot update
Strategic update - Head to Health sites are evolving to become Medicare Mental Health Centres
General resources - New Emerging Minds Families resources to boost parents’ mental health literacy
- Stronger Medicare Awards
- Allied health providers – Help inform national PHN engagement with your sector
News and media - Armadale location of WA's eighth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
Training and events - Aboriginal Health Conference 2024
Resources - Commissioning policies and procedures
- Previous editions of Service Provider Connect
General Manager's foreword
As I’m sure many of you were, I was eagerly awaiting the release of the Federal Budget 2024-25. As expected, there was a strong focus on health, with particular mention given to boosting access to essential health services by building a better healthcare system, improving health outcomes, access to medicines, mental health support, improving the aged care system, reforming the disability sector and delivering essential services.
A summary of national funding announcements that relate to WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) and therefore our commissioned service providers includes: - $227 million to deliver a further 29 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, with one additional clinic located in WA.
- $160 million over four years to implement systems changes to MyMedicare enabling payment of incentives to GPs and general practices to support wraparound primary care for frequent hospital users.
- $17.4 million to boost the supply of health care in areas of shortage, and support health services at risk of closing.
- Continuation of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program - $490.0 million over four years.
- A free, low-intensity digital service to address the gap for people with mild mental health concerns from 1 January 2026 - $588.5 million over eight years form 2024-25 and $113.4 million per year ongoing.
- Free walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres, built on the established Head to Health network, which will provide clinical services for adults with moderate-to-severe mental health needs – 29.9 million over four years.
- $35.9 million over four years for TRISP extension by an additional year.
- Wraparound support service for people with complex mental health needs - $71.7 million over four years and $24.4 million per year ongoing.
- Funding to improve child and youth mental health services through uplifting workforce capability and co-designing new model of care - $29.7 million over three years.
At the recent Service Provider Panel meeting, commissioned service providers discussed challenges and opportunities resulting from the Budget, and the impact it will have on their ability to deliver services. Other issues raised include thin markets, prioritising access to services, and challenges for services requiring GP referral given the reduction in general practices bulk billing and current wait times. Read the meeting Communique.
As more updates become available, particularly clarification and information on funding specifications and time frames, I’ll be sure to share these with you.
Regards Mark Cockayne Executive General Manager Commissioned Services Procurement and Contracting New Head of Contract Management & Procurement
The WAPHA contract management and procurement team is pleased to announce some recent changes to leadership staff.
Dawn Corry has recently been appointed as our new Head of Contract Management and Procurement, boasting extensive experience spanning over twenty years in contract management and procurement. Her experience includes working across not-for-profit organisations in the health, retail and consultancy sectors including eight years at St John Ambulance as Head of Procurement and Supply Chain. Dawn has emphasised her commitment to stakeholder engagement, noting her enjoyment in fostering strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and looks forward to meeting with our commissioned service providers in the future.
Jody Niven, Acting Senior Contract Manager, has resigned in her position after accepting an external role and finished with WAPHA at the end of May. We are thrilled for Jody, though she will be missed for her supportive leadership of the contracts team over the past few months and many other roles in her time at WAPHA. Supporting Recovery pilot update
The Australian Government is funding WAPHA’s Country WA Primary Health Network to develop trauma-informed recovery care services for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence. The pilot location, Geraldton, was selected after a thorough decision-making process that considered both demand and supply requirements.
Two complimentary service types will be commissioned in Geraldton by WAPHA during 2024, providing case management and psychological therapies for up to two years per client. The pilot aims to promote sustained recovery and address trauma-related mental health conditions for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence.
WAPHA will work with local stakeholders to maximise the outcomes of the pilot and establish a scalable model for long-term trauma-informed mental health care. Interested organisations in Geraldton can subscribe to receive WAPHA tender notifications and express interest in delivering one or both services.
Find out more Strategic UpdateHead to Health sites are evolving to become Medicare Mental Health Centres
Head to Health sites are evolving to provide access to even more mental health services for the community, as they transition to become Medicare Mental Health Centres by the end of 2024.
In the meantime, all Head to Health sites will operate as usual. This means new and existing clients can continue to receive the same free, high quality, compassionate mental health care at their local Head to Health site when they need it.
When the transition to Medicare Mental Health Centres takes place, the centres will be able to provide access to care for people with more complex mental health needs than they do currently.
The Australian Government is providing more funding to ensure people who need it can receive the care they need from a range of mental health professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists.
As is the case currently, no appointment, referral or Medicare card will be needed – anyone living in Australia can walk in and talk to someone for mental health support.
The Australian Government has confirmed that the change in name to Medicare Mental Health Centres better aligns these services with other trusted, clinical services they provide.
The Head to Health Phone Service 1800 595 212 is not impacted by the change in branding for the Head to Health sites. It will continue to provide advice and support, including a referral to the most appropriate service, if required.
WAPHA, as the operator of WA’s three Primary Health Networks, will be working closely with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and WA’s Head to Health site operators to ensure a smooth transition of these important and valued services.
We will continue to keep you updated as we work towards the transition. General ResourcesNew Emerging Minds Families resources to boost parents' mental health literacy
A new collection of free, online resources aimed at building the confidence of parents, family members and other adults to support children’s mental health and wellbeing is available from Emerging Minds.
The Understanding and supporting children’s mental health collection can strengthen families’ knowledge and confidence in talking about children’s mental health with health practitioners by offering a shared language and understanding of key child mental health concept. The resources include factsheets, videos and podcasts. Stronger Medicare Awards
Do you know a person, team or practice that goes above and beyond to improve the health of their community? If so, nominate them for a Stronger Medicare Award. Nominations close 30 June 2024. Allied health providers - Help inform national PHN engagement with your sector
The PHN Cooperative is developing a National Allied Health Engagement Toolkit, to help providers engage with local health systems, PHN programs, and government primary care initiatives. A five-minute survey will inform the new toolkit.
Complete the survey
News and media Armadale location of WA's eighth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
An eighth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for Western Australia has been confirmed in Armadale, providing the community with urgent care in a general practice setting. The clinic, due to open by the end of the year, will provide treatment for urgent, but not life-threatening, illnesses and injuries requiring same day assessment for people who may otherwise have visited an emergency department. Accredited general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services located in Armadale and surrounding suburbs will receive more details on the EOI and next steps imminently. Read more
Training and Events
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