The Victorian and NSW governments have forged a "historic partnership" to help improve access to medical services in the two states, their premiers have announced.
The governments are set to each establish 25 'urgent care services' facilities in their states in partnership with general practitioners in an effort to ease pressure on hospital emergency departments.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the joint venture together at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne's north east this morning.
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Premier Daniel Andrews said "the historic partnership" was aimed to address the challenges Australians are facing when trying to get a bulk-billed GP appointment.
"This is just common sense," he said.
"It's a better investment in a primary care system."
The GP-partnered services are planned to be able to manage conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns.
They will operate for extended hours and patients will not be charged for services provided by GPs.
Patients without a Medicare card will also be able to access services, free of charge.
Ten of the Victorians centres will be established to partner with Frankston Hospital, Bendigo Hospital, Casey Hospital, Albury Wodonga Health, Austin Hospital, Alfred Hospital, Dandenong Hospital, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Werribee Mercy Hospital and Box Hill Hospital.
The other 10 Victorian locations have not been announced.
The NSW locations have not yet been announced.
Andrews said the facilities would be opened progressively, and would operate for a year, before they would be re-evaluated.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said reforming the health system was something NSW and Victoria needed to work on together.
"We are leading the way to adopt a new model of care by investing in our communities to ensure people can access free health care."
He said the health system needed to be reformed, and then the next step would be the federal and state governments collaborating better on the issue.
"We need to work together more," he said.
"We continue to work with the Commonwealth to make sure we have long-term solutions to offer communities first-class healthcare and provide our frontline health workers with the support they need."
