ML moment with Greater Metro South Brisbane Medicare Local

Primary Source Tuesday 24 January, 2012

Encapsulating some of the best ‘movers and shakers’ in the primary health care scene within the borders of the Greater Metro South Brisbane Medicare Local (GMSBML), CEO Tam Shepherd is confident the community will increasingly see a difference in health services locally, this year. Bringing a grassroots focus to a population of 925,000 people, spread over an area of 1500 square kilometres is a significant challenge, because this Medicare Local covers one of the biggest regions in the country. In GMSBML's contribution to Primary Source's Medicare Local Moments, Tam Shepherd describes the recent transition that has taken place and the difference this primary health care organisation is going to make.

What’s your strong point for your Medicare Local?

The organisation is a new entity established through a joint venture by two of our founding member organisations, the South East Primary HealthCare Network and South East Alliance of General Practice; two highly regarded divisions with a broad portfolio of programs, strong community links and close alignment with the Queensland Government’s proposed new Local Health and Hospital Networks.

While this provided a solid foundation, and the nucleus of an experienced, committed team, the new GMSBML has a structure and approach that is distinctly different from traditional GP Divisions.

The model of governance has been designed to ensure access to knowledge, skills and talent across all health care sectors equipping the organisation to deliver a more coordinated response to the primary care needs of its various communities.

The GMSBML Board was selected for their skill, experience and commitment to improving the access of our community to high quality health care. The member organisations include some of the most influential primary care service providers in the region and others who bring with them a wealth of professional skill and experience in service delivery, academia, research, indigenous health, health care consumers and the community. The initial founding 18 member organisations are committed to the provision of highly valued advice and support from their operating entities.

What will a Medicare Local mean for your area?

The Medicare Local network offers an efficient way to assist people in navigating a complex health care system. For GMSBML alone this system includes hundreds of primary health care providers including 240 general practice clinics as well as hundreds of community pharmacies, allied health providers and community health services.

For the first time the regional community will have a way to aggregate health information from a myriad of different sources to better understand its current health position and track changes over time. More importantly, it will provide a mechanism to coordinate tailored service delivery and channel health resources more efficiently.

What will be that penny-dropping moment for communities with regard to ML?

The value of Medicare Locals will become visible when the community and health care planners can go to one place and see a complete snapshot of the current state of its health. In GMSBML the first take on a holistic demographic health picture is expected to be available by the middle of 2012 with the release of a location-based tool (GIS), which integrates key data from a wide range of sources. The GIS system is currently being developed with assistance from the University of Queensland and a commercial software partner. This kind of innovation and collaboration underpins GMSBML’s culture and approach.

How will your Medicare Local change what is being done today, to what will be done under the new primary health care regime?

The GMSBML will provide the means by which access to quality health care can be made available to members of our community who are currently unable to do so. There will be a strong focus on prevention in the GMSBML community programs. Prevention activities have long taken a backseat to acute care but our goal is to integrate these behaviors into everyday clinical practice to provide a sustainable method to improve long-term health outcomes.

The success of this approach is evidenced in a number of existing activities that have produced some outstanding results. For example, the Optimal Health Dietary & Lifestyle Phone Support Program is an innovative approach to disease prevention utilising health coaching principles to effect lifestyle change. The results have been significant in terms of weight loss, reduction in waist measurement, BP and cholesterol levels.

What’s your best example of a program you are running now that exemplifies your ML?

GMSBML is preparing to launch a new program which illustrates the difference in its core strategy and approach. The service will increase after-hours access to primary care for disadvantaged groups and involves a mobile outreach service for the homeless operated by nursing staff.

How important is it to have an overarching body to manage and monitor primary health care services for your region?

Extending from the southern suburbs of Brisbane to the northern border of New South Wales, GMSBML is responsible for a region that ranges from inner city urban and suburban settings to rural and island settlements, and contains a broad ethnic, clultural and demographic mix.

The organisation’s tiered governance structure will be instrumental in effectively identifying gaps and delivering services tailored to suit each of these diverse communities. This increase in flexibility, insight and responsiveness will be one of the most significant advantages of having a new Medicare Local in the Greater Metro South Brisbane community.