Not-for-profit GP Down South receives $1.8 million in federal funding for new health care trial

A new health clinic offering an alternative to a hospital emergency department for people with chronic conditions is set to be trialled in the lower South West. The Federal Government will commit $1.8 million over the next five years to fund a model of integrated care which will be accessible to people living within the Shires of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Boyup Brook, Manjimup, and Nannup. Non-profit organisation GP Down South — which provides health and wellbeing services to the region — were the sole recipients of funding and will deliver a trial under the Innovative Models of Care grants program. GP Down South will work with stakeholders and community to provide clients access to the services they need, when they need it. The program will include in-hours walk in access to a clinical care coordination team as an alternative to emergency department presentation who will work with clients to assess their needs, develop and implement shared care plans, and establish referral pathways enabling timely access to GPs and other services. Acting CEO and business development manager of GP Down South Eleanor Britton said they are proud to have been successful in obtaining the federal grant. “We expected to be one of many worthy applicants so we are honoured to receive the grant,” she said. “We intend to work closely and collaboratively with key stakeholders to undergo an extensive evaluation process for the trial. “We are committed to providing healthcare to the community and we’re passionate about providing better rural healthcare to ultimately achieve better outcomes for individuals.” Ms Britton said the next steps will be to continue planning the implentation process and begin recruiting for the clinical care coordination team. Assistant Regional Health Minister Emma McBride said improving access to healthcare was a top priority for the Albanese Labor Government. “As the Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, I want to make sure all Australians have access to the care they need when they need it, wherever they live. “This trial will help both patients and health practitioners in the Warren Blackwood region to deliver the best healthcare for their community.” The funding coincides with the federal government’s trial of a broader set of innovative models under the IMOC program to address health workforce shortages and improve patient outcomes in rural and remote Australia.