Primary Health Care Research Given a Boost

The Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research Tanya Plibersek, has announced an extra $13.5 million for new primary care research, including Australia’s first international primary health care research organisation.
The international research organisation is a $2.5 million partnership with Canada and will focus on improving health outcomes for vulnerable groups. “Research will focus on priority health areas for both countries including chronic disease prevention and management, rural health, and better care for people in low socio-economic communities,” Ms Plibersek said.
“We expect the organisation to bring together over 20 researchers, clinicians, and decision makers from both countries, and from a range of universities and research institutes. “This is a natural partnership given the similarities between our two countries economically, demographically, and in terms of health challenges like chronic disease and ageing populations,” she added.
The Federal Government is also investing $11 million in the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Better Health Partnership in Primary Care.
Under the Partnership, the NHMRC will fund primary care research projects following a competitive grants application process.  The research priorities identified include integration in primary care, service models, and eHealth.
“The results of the research will help Medicare Locals to do an even better job delivering services to their communities,” Ms Plibersek said. “This Government’s worked to shift the gravity in our health system towards primary care. “Primary health care is critical to Australia’s health system because it helps to keep people well and out of hospital.
“Research shows that good primary health care can reduce the need for medication and reduces hospital admissions by up to 25 per cent. “The evidence also shows that countries with health systems built around strong primary care, get better bang for their health buck.”