Commissioning for healthcare: a case study of the general practitioners After Hours Program
Karen Carlisle A B C , Rhonda Fleming B and Alison Berrigan BA College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Douglas, Qld 4814, Australia.
B Townsville-Mackay Medicare Local, Clinical Practice Building, 1 James Cook Drive, Douglas, Qld 4814, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: karen.carlisle@jcu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(1) 22-25 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY15036
Submitted: 26 February 2015 Accepted: 2 November 2015 Published: 29 February 2016
Abstract
A strong primary healthcare system that is effective and efficient is a priority for health reform in Australia. Commissioning to support primary healthcare delivery has received increasing attention as part of healthcare reform in Australia and beyond. The aim of this paper is to present a case study of transitioning to an activity-based model for the provision of GP after-hours services in Australia. The GP After-Hours Program utilised a commissioning model that comprised of needs assessment, service development, provider engagement and evaluation. Evaluation of the new model showed a 17% increase in after-hours services, with service providers indicating that they were satisfied with the new process. Examination of the experience of implementation suggests that the commissioning model provided a useful framework for guiding activity-based funding for after-hours services. However, relational factors, such as engagement with the community, knowledge of the wider context and legitimacy of the commissioning body, can affect the implementation process.
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