1:30 PM - By MARTIN JOHNSTON and IRN
The Government wants everyone to sign up with health clinics under an ambitious plan to revamp first-line care and reduce patient charges.
But the Primary Health Care Strategy, unveiled today, stops short of making it compulsory for people to enrol with a GP or clinic.
The strategy says people will be "encouraged to join" a Primary Health Organisation by enrolling with a GP or clinic.
The document, which does not cover implementation details, signals that the Government wants to spend more on subsidising primary care.
The money will come from other parts of Government health expenditure or from new health spending, but the strategy says that will depend on "funding priorities" in the Budget.
Health Minister Annette King says the strategy is a new vision which is central to removing the inequalities in health.
She says the aim is to keep people out of the expensive hospital system by placing more emphasis on prevention and education.
The strategy sets the framework for better access to services and improved co-ordination between primary and secondary health care providers, says Mrs King.
The Medical Association supports the strategy but says that without increased funding, the document's aims will not be achieved.
The Primary Health Care Strategy
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