MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper is pushing for a new funding model for rural primary health care to provide a medium to long-term solution to the Mildura’s GP crisis.
“I’m calling for the establishment of a Rural Area Community Controlled Health Organisation (RACCHO) in the Mildura region,” Ms Cupper said.
RACCHOs are an innovative model of rural health care that has been developed by the National Rural Health Alliance.
The RACCHO model would see both federal and state governments directly funding a local not-for-profit organisation to recruit and deliver GP and allied health services.
“RACCHOs have the potential to change the way that GPs and other health professionals are paid for their time and recognises that it costs more to deliver high quality primary care in rural areas, meaning that GPs and other health professionals are more likely to come, work and stay,” Ms Cupper said.
“A RACCHO would not replace or compete with any of the current GP services, rather it would supplement them and provide care to those who have the hardest time accessing a GP.”
Since the Tristar closure was announced, Ms Cupper has been working to push for a local state-funded urgent care centre, but points out that the medium to longer-term solution will require more federal government input.
“I want to commend the Mildura Base Public Hospital, Sunraysia Community Health Services, the Murray PHN and local General Practices for the work they have put in to address this crisis in the short term,” she said.
“I’m very hopeful of being able to deliver state government funding to support that short-term work in establishing an urgent care centre, but will continue working with local partners and the state and federal governments for a medium to longer-term solution in the shape of a RACCHO.”
More information on the RACCHO model can be found on the National Rural Health Alliance website: https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/racchos

Media enquiries: Wade Stephens 0423 905 581