Speculation is rife that the federal government plans to shut down Medicare Locals in the May budget, according to a number of Medicare Local chief executives in the northern suburbs.
The national network of Medicare Locals was established by the Rudd government under its 2011 national health reforms. They were aimed at improving primary health care by co-ordinating local health providers for tailored community programs.
The Northern Melbourne Medicare Local (NMML) services Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Whittlesea and Nillumbik.
A spokesman from NMML said he was unsure of who tipped the network off about the government’s proposals. All 61 Medicare Local chief executives took part in numerous conference calls last week to discuss the possible ramifications of the proposed shutdown.
Acting NMML CEO Rod Wilson acknowledged speculation surrounding the local health bodies and urged the community to recognise and support their work in the lead-up to the federal budget.
“Since July last year, NMML has enabled 26,000 urgent home doctor visits, helped 3000 residents suffering short-term mental distress to access free counselling, and funded 58 GP clinics across the north to open at night and weekends,” he said.
Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton last Wednesday painted a bleak picture for the Medicare Locals’ survival.
“You can’t see a doctor at a Medicare Local and you can’t process your Medicare claim form,” he said.
“One thing that we are very worried about is the fact that Labor, when they were in government, set up many new bureaucracies – 12 new bureaucracies in health – and it took money away from frontline services.
“What I am determined to do is make sure we get money back to doctors and nurses and away from health bureaucrats.”
The NMML is based in Ivanhoe East and employs about 30 staff.
Scullin MP Andrew Giles said Prime Minister Tony Abbott was about to break a pre-election promise. “Ten days before the last election, the Prime Minister promised, ‘We’re not shutting any Medicare Locals’,” he said.
