Health partnerships working to create healthier communities across Murray Plains face more uncertainty after the Andrews Government again refused to provide long-term funding.
Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs) actively contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and their communities in regional Victoria, but have only been funded to June 2020 while a review is undertaken.
Member for Murray Plains and Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh, along with other Liberal Nationals MPs, met with local PCPs at State Parliament last week to support the fight for long-term funding.
“Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs) are the quiet champions of healthier regional communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“PCPs pull health organisations in regional communities together. In our local region, they’ve had a hand in setting up critical support programs, including for women and children experiencing family violence, for people in our Aboriginal communities and to take preventative action for better health.
“The Andrews Government’s decision to end their funding in June 2020 threatens to destroy two decades of work to build trust in the community and strong local networks.”
Victoria’s 28 PCPs link in with approximately 600 organisations, including hospitals, community health services, Primary Health Networks, local governments, mental health services, drug treatment services and disability services.
Five PCPs cover the Loddon Mallee region: Northern Mallee Community Partnership, Southern Mallee PCP, Bendigo Loddon PCP, Campaspe PCP and Central Victorian PCP.
PCPs are calling for a three year funding agreement from the Andrews Government.
“Instead of assurances, Labor has frustratingly handed our PCPs more uncertainty,” Mr Walsh said.
“PCPs are a vital cog in securing the right health and wellbeing programs our community needs for better local health outcomes.
“The Nationals support the work of our PCPs and will stand with them in their fight to secure funding.”