Mental health patients in rural and regional areas could wait months to see psychologists because of problems with the Government’s new Primary Health Networks (PHNs), former employees claim.
Several former staff from Medicare Locals have contacted the ABC and said patients in rural and regional areas are being told they will have to wait months to see psychologists, because service contracts for the new organisations have not been signed.
The Federal Government dismantled 61 Medicare Locals and replaced them with 31 new PHNs at a cost of nearly $900 million.
PHNs provide a link between GPs and other health providers with hospitals to improve community health.
But a former worker at the Hume Medicare Local in regional NSW, who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity, said staff had not been able to make appointments for patients or take referrals because contracts that expired at the end of June had not been resigned.
She said other programs, now under a cloud at the new PHNs, include diabetes, nurse educator programs, remote placement for GPs and immunisation programs.
“The wait time has blown out for parents wanting access to programs like Heads Up for children under 12 with anxiety and behavioural problems,” she said.
“In regional areas, if one service shuts down, there’s nowhere else for parents to turn.”
Another former worker from a regional Medicare Local in Victoria contacted the ABC and said staff were very worried adequate services would not continue under the new organisations.
“Patients will fall through the gaps because new contracts are not in place,” he said.
“The staff who are left are very, very concerned.”
A spokesman for the Federal Health Department said it had started a funding agreement with the Hume PHN, including for the provision of psychological services.
“The Primary Health Networks are required to ensure service continuity,” he said.
“It’s up to the PHN to ensure arrangements are in place to continue service provision for existing and new clients.”
AMA warns general practice needs to play central role
Australian Medical Association president (AMA) Professor Brian Owler said the new organisations were an opportunity for a fresh start in primary care.
But he warned general practice needed to play a central role in the new organisations.
“Evidence from countries such as New Zealand shows that GP-leadership and input is vital for PHNs to be effective,” he said.
“GPs are generally the first point of call in the health system.
“They can provide high-quality clinical input as well as first-hand knowledge of where improvements in the health system need to be made.”
The change from Medicare Locals to PHNs has been plagued with problems, including a last minute directive from the Health Department not to use the name “Primary Health Networks”.
The Health Department said it was developing guidance for PHNs on branding and once finalised would provide the advice to the organisations as a matter of priority.