My question is to the Minister for Health. How is the Glen Waverley Priority Primary Care Centre supporting my constituents in getting the primary health care they need? When a constituent in my electorate is unwell, the first port of call is their local GP. However, we all know it has been harder and harder to see a GP and even more difficult to find one that bulk-bills. Nine years of neglect and cuts by the former coalition federal government have made this so.
Fortunately, the Andrews Labor government once again stepped up and established the priority primary care centres, providing an alternative to GPs and emergency departments, with the Glen Waverley PPCC being one of the first to open. Four weeks ago on Sunday I referred a friend to this clinic to get their dislocated finger checked instead of them going to the ED. My friend sent me the following message:
Thank goodness the Victorian Labor Government has opened up 25 new Priority Primary Care Centres across the state.
It really seems as if they’re doing what matters – reducing the pressure off Emergency Departments while servicing local communities. What a great initiative!
Hopefully the minister can join me in touring the facility so we can be sure that it is meeting my constituents’ needs.
Minister’s Response:
I thank the Member for his question and his advocacy for better primary care for his constituents in Glen Waverley. Priority Primary Care Centres are GP-led services that increase access to primary care and provide a viable alternative to visiting an Emergency Department or GP for people of all ages that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.
There are currently 21 Priority Primary Care Centres open across Victoria, with a further four to open in coming weeks and months. The services are partnered with major public emergency departments and treat conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns, and offer relevant pathology and imaging services.
Priority Primary Care Centres are open up to 16 hours per day seven days a week and patients are free for patients with or without a Medicare card.
Glen Waverly Priority Primary Care Centre is partnered with Monash Health and referral protocols and pathways are in place to ensure that when clinically appropriate, patients can be referred to the service to receive care. Work is also occurring with Primary Health Networks to promote the Priority Primary Care Centre to the local community as a viable alternative to attending the emergency department for urgent conditions that do not require an emergency response.
Over 34,800 patients have been seen at a PPCC since they started progressively opening in September 2022. Patient survey data shows approx. 52% of patients would have attended an emergency department if a Priority Primary Care Centre was not available.
Together with our other initiatives including GP Respiratory Clinics and the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Priority Primary Care Centres are helping to reduce pressure on our busy hospitals and support timely access to care for all Victorians.
Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP
Minister for Health
Minister for Health Infrastructure
Minister for Medical Research
