On 4 November the Department of Health & Ageing made the long-awaited announcement of successful applicants to become Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 Medicare Locals across Australia. In total, 38 new organisations were announced. In Victoria, six Tranche 2 and five Tranche 3 Medicare Locals were announced, bringing the total number of confirmed Medicare Locals to 15 of the 17 proposed for the state.
As most of you know over the past year The Network has focussed its efforts on the imminent and challenging Medicare Local transition process. The Macedon Ranges and North Western Melbourne Medicare Local (MRNWMML) partnership group of CHGPN, Kyneton & District Health Services, Djerriwarrah Health Services, Cobaw Community Health Service, Macedon Ranges Community Health Service, Isis Primary Care, Western Region Health Centre, Healthwest Partnership, Sunbury Community Health Service and Central Victorian Health Alliance with PivotWest as the lead agency were successful in their application commencing in Tranche 2 on 1st January 2012.
The MRNWM Medicare Local includes areas within the Macedon Ranges, Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh and Melton which were previously part of the CHGPN catchment along with areas within the PivotWest catchment. The catchment area for the Macedon Ranges and North Western Melbourne Medicare Local is outlined in the map below:
The Network has developed a transition plan to transfer relevant programs and information to the four Medicare Locals and is currently working with PivotWest to transition DoHA funded programs and some staff into the MRNWMML.
The geographical catchment of CHGPN has effectively been divided into four:
In Tranche 2:
- Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Romsey, Lancefield, Kyneton & Woodend sit with MRNWM Medicare Local
- Castlemaine sits with the Loddon Mallee Murray Medicare Local.
In Tranche 3
- Daylesford sits with Grampians Medicare Local, and
- Kilmore, Broadford, Wandong, Seymour and Wallan sits with Goulburn Medicare Local.
In the new year the Network will be contacting members and practices to explain the process of transition.
Board and Staff Changes 2011
Congratulations to Dr Woodrow Wu from The Elms Medical Centre in Bacchus Marsh who is the New Chair of the CHGPN Board and to Dr Sue Wright from Brooke Street Medical Centre who is the new Deputy Chair. Dr John Turner will continue in the role of Treasurer and Lynda Vamvoukis has been appointed a non-executive Director and Company Secretary. They will guide the Network through the next year with Directors Dr Alastair Stark, Neville Smith and Dr Chris Atkins. The Network would like to thanks Dr Chris Atkins the outgoing Chair for his substantial contribution to the Network.
On behalf of the CHGPN Board Dr Alastair Stark, Dr Chris Atkins and Lynda Vamvoukis will sit on the Macedon Ranges North Western Melbourne Medical Local (MRNMWML) Transition Board along with 4 members of the PivotWest Board and 3 representatives from the MRNMWML partnership group. The transition Board will guide the new Medicare Local through the first 6 months of business.
The Network would also like to thank Dr Alison Bailey and Dr Chris Hogan, both long serving Directors and Chairs on their retirement from the Board. We would like to acknowledge the breadth of their work and their significant contribution to the growth of the Network and wish them well in their endeavours.
The Board has appointed Pamela Trethowan as the New CEO of the Network. Pamela has worked at the Network for 11 years and she has been Executive Manager for the past 5 years. The Network wishes her well in her new position.
The Board would like to acknowledge the contribution and leadership of Lynda Vamvoukis who has stepped down from the role of CEO. Lynda has been CEO of the Network for 10 Years and has lead the Network through significant changes. Lynda will still maintain ties to the Network through her work on the Board. The Network thanks Lynda for her stellar performance as CEO and wishes her well in her future endeavours.