Three other Illawarra centres will trial new models of care for patients with diabetes as part of the funding boost, while another will focus on respiratory disease management.

Dianne Kitcher, CEO of Coordinare – the Southern Eastern NSW Primary Health Network – said it was part of their efforts to get all Illawarra general practices ready for upcoming health system reform.

The Commonwealth is currently implementing the Health Care Home model at 10 trial sites, with the view to rolling it out nationwide.

“Our health system is currently set up to deal with one problem, dealt with by one clinician, at a particular point in time,” Ms Kitcher said.

“But our health needs are growing more complex – we’re living longer, we’re suffering from multiple chronic conditions as we age, and we’re needing care from many different providers.

“So these reforms recognise that we need to lift the quality of care and make sure providers are working as a team, and working with patients about their best interests so it’s very patient centred.”

Ms Kitcher said the five successful Illawarra centres provided great examples of this new approach.

Dr Chandran’s Surgery, at Albion Park, will develop a nurse-led respiratory disease management clinic; while Illawarra Family Medical Centre, Wollongong, will enhance its diabetes program with the creation of a ‘high risk’ patient stream.

Lakeside Medical Practice, Dapto, will implement a nurse-led diabetes clinic and Wollongong’s Market Street Medical Practice will include a consultant pharmacist and diabetes educator in patient medication review.

Russell Vale Family Medical and Acupuncture Centre will introduce the bilingual counselling to help Syrian refugee families who have settled in the northern suburbs.

“A lot of the initiatives are nurse-led or involving other disciplines than would traditionally be involved in general practice, like a pharmacist,” Ms Kitcher said. “So it’s looking at trying to use a broader team which will lead to better patient outcomes.

“For instance the Russell Vale practice sees a reasonably high proportion of patients coming from refugee families who have complex needs because of all the trauma and grief and the impacts of war and being a refugee.

“That all adds a layer of complexity when trying to talk to them about their health conditions, so the centre wants to be more proactive by embedding bilingual counselling into their own practice.”