Victorian perspectives on chronic disease prevention and management

THE VICTORIAN experience of prevention and management of chronic disease in primary health care will be the focus of a House of Representatives Health Committee hearing to be held in Melbourne on Thursday.

The committee will hear from witnesses including the Victorian Health Department, chronic disease advocacy groups, bodies representing medical practitioners and allied health workers, research bodies, a health consumer group, private health insurers, and Primary Health Networks.

Discussion is expected to include methods used to treat chronic disease in primary health care, as well as ways in which patient care can be better coordinated, supported and improved.

Committee Chair Steve Irons MP said, "Hearing more about innovative models of care being delivered in Victoria, including the CarePoint partnership delivered by the Victorian Department of Health and Medibank Private, will provide a perspective on the ways in which the challenges of chronic disease can be addressed on a local and state-wide scale.

"Collaborative partnerships, and information sharing between research bodies and primary health care organisations, including Primary Health Networks, may find efficiencies and lead to better implementation of best practice treatment for patients living with chronic disease."

Details of the hearing are:
Thursday, 1 October – 9.00 am to 5.30 pm
Meeting Room G1, 55 St Andrews Place, Melbourne, Victoria

A program and further information about the inquiry is available at: www.aph.gov.au/chronicdisease

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