The Hon Emma McBride MP
Assistant Minister for Mental Health
Assistant Minister Rural and Regional Health
The Albanese Government is committing $1.8 million to fund a new health care trial in the Warren-Blackwood region of Western Australia (WA) under the Innovative Models of Care (IMOC) grants program.
Non-profit organisation GP Down South Limited will receive the funding to develop and trial a model of integrated care that is patient-centred and improves access for rural Australians, especially for people living with chronic conditions.
As part of this trial, a clinical care team will set up a walk-in centre to assess patients, develop treatment plans that best suit their needs, and connect them with local GPs and other support services.
The walk-in centre will also help take the pressure off hospital emergency departments by giving locals another option to receive care.
The Warren-Blackwood project, which includes the shires of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Boyup Brook, Manjimup, and Nannup, is one of the first trials under the program outside NSW.
The Albanese Government will provide an extra $35 million to expand the IMOC program and trial a broader set of innovative models to address health workforce shortages and improve patient outcomes in rural and remote Australia.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride MP:
"Improving access to healthcare is a top priority for the Albanese Labor Government.
"As the Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, I want to make sure all Australians have access to the care they need when they need it, wherever they live.
"The Innovative Models of Care program is designed to support local solutions to workforce shortages and improve patient care for people living in rural and regional Australia.
"This trial will help both patients and health practitioners in the Warren Blackwood region to deliver the best healthcare for their community."
