Sussan Ley heals Border split on health networks

Health Minister and member for Farrer Sussan Ley yesterday said Albury would be part of the Victorian Murray region, one of 31 networks that will replace Labor’s 61 Medicare Locals from July 1.

But the move has created uncertainty for staff at the existing Hume Medicare Local.

The successful applicant for the Murray region — that extends from Mildura to Albury-Wodonga — is Loddon Mallee Murray Medicare Local Limited.

Loddon chief Matt Jones said last night the new network would have an office in Albury-Wodonga and some Hume staff would be hired.

Fears Albury and Wodonga would be split rose when previous health minister Peter Dutton said primary networks would replace Medicare Locals.

The proposed Western NSW primary network, which would have been even larger than Ms Ley’s federal electorate, has been carved into two zones in a last-minute change.

“Albury has been moved to Victoria’s Murray network, providing better continuity of services,” Ms Ley said.

“And what was to be the Western NSW network has been split into two zones, recognising the needs of people in the Murrumbidgee area are quite different to those in much of Western NSW.”

Hume Medicare Local couldn’t be contacted for comment yesterday.

Ms Ley said the 31 primary networks would cost almost $900 million to operate.

“The networks will reshape the delivery of primary care across the nation,” she said.

“The key difference between primary networks and Medicare Locals is the networks will improve access to frontline services, not backroom bureaucracy.

“This is backed by the fact primary networks will deliver improved access to primary care services for patients,” Ms Ley said.