AHHA response to the Review of after hours primary care policies and programs Submission

The success of Australia’s system is dependent on the strength of the primary care services that underpin it, as the first point of access for consumers. [...] ▪ Recognition that the capacity to provide after hours services will be influenced by the availability of a primary care workforce with the right skill mix and the capacity to work to their full scope of practice, including both professional and support staff. [...] ahha | the voice of public healthcare | submission 5 Review of after hours primary care policies and programs Framework for national monitoring and evaluation As identified within the Consultation Discussion Paper, both the funding of and responsibility for after hours primary care services are highly fragmented2. [...] To appropriately meet the demands of communities, it is necessary for the workforce to have the both the right skill-mix, accounting for local need, and the capacity to work to their full scope of practice10. [...] The JSC for the health sector, HumanAbility, has the potential to greatly benefit the health sector if they were to enable and support health services in a more timely manner to progress new and innovative models of care that address current and future challenges.