Providing care closer to home

Local communities are the lifeblood of Victoria. They are where we live, learn, love, and laugh. And they should also be where we find the health, wellbeing and care services that meet our needs.

We are finding new ways to help Victorians access as many health, wellbeing, and care services as possible in their local communities.

At their doorsteps, Victorians will find community-based services, virtual care services and modern, safe facilities. These services improve access, outcomes and satisfaction for patients and health workers across the state.

Whether in major metropolitan areas or regional and rural towns, this place-based approach links to prevention and early intervention by reducing the chances of untreated health conditions worsening to the point of needing hospital care.

And if they do go to hospital, it will be at the right time. They will not fall through the cracks or wait too long. They will move from community-based services to the appropriate hospital for only as long as necessary, before returning to home and community care.

With rapid technological advances, people can also access more services from home. Virtual care, telehealth and other innovations like wearables and home monitoring can overcome geographical inequalities.

Providing care closer to home will see improved health outcomes for Victorians in their local communities. This ranges from newborns to our elderly, from chronic disease sufferers to those contending with addiction and mental health challenges – and everyone in between.

Priority initiatives

• Providing more care in the community and at home
  • Right Care, Right Place, Right Time
  • Community-based care (GP Priority Primary Care Centres, pharmacy prescribing)
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals
  • Virtual care pathways.

Outcomes

Individual experience of care

• Accessible care
  • Victorians can rely on their healthcare system to deliver care when and as they need it
• Safety and quality
  • Victorians have confidence that their healthcare is safe and high quality
• Experience of care
  • Victorians have a positive experience of person-centred care.