On 11 October 2019 the Department of Health and Human Services/DHHS advised that PCPs across Victoria will have their funding extended from 31st December 2019 to the 30th June 2020, during which time an external review will be commissioned to evaluate the Statewide PCP program.
The review was undertaken by KPMG in late 2019. The scope of the review was to:
The review findings are with DHHS.
On 16 March 2020 DHHS advised of a further extension to PCP funding until 31st December 2020, as the recent bushfires and COVID- 19 have meant DHHS have not had the opportunity to assess the outcomes of the review.
On 28 September 2020 DHHS advised of a further extension to the funding and service agreements to June 2021, with an indication that the PCP platform would be reformed.
While all current PCP Program guidelines, including reporting requirements and obligations under the Funding and Service Agreement remain in place, further advice is yet to be provided about the next phase in the reform process.
These extensions follow an extended period of funding uncertainty as since 30th June 2017 PCPs have been operating under expired Program Logic and reporting requirements.
In September 2019 VIC PCP launched a #SecurePCPsFuture advocacy campaign page on the VIC PCP website http://vicpcp.org.au/securepcpsfuture/
VIC PCP also conducted a state-wide survey of all PCPs to gather information to support the advocacy efforts. 27 PCPs completed the survey and the results have been presented in the key messages document as well as in the infographic format highlighting the value add and return on investment that PCPs deliver.
The purpose of the campaign page is to be a central repository of all resources and information for local Members of Parliament (MPs), all PCPs and their members and other organisations and peak bodies who expressed interest in advocating for ongoing funding for PCPs.
What we stand to lose across Victoria:
For more detail on the quality and diversity of PCPs work see Contributing to better health and well being outcomes for our communities: Examples from around Victoria
What we stand to lose in Melbourne’s inner north west:
View INW PCP’s achievements in 2018, 2019 and 2020
How you can help:
If you find benefit in working with Inner North West Primary Care Partnership, please consider supporting the Vic PCP advocacy campaign by:
For information and resources to assist you advocate to secure funding for PCPs visit VICPCP.