South Western Sydney Primary Health Network

South Western Sydney Medicare Local Ltd. (SWSML) was established 1st July, 2012, as a company limited by guarantee, with consortium members Sydney South West GP Link Ltd. and Southern Highlands Division of General Practice Inc. SWSML is the key body for integrated, quality primary health care services delivered in the South Western Sydney region, with a population of 882,000 (as of 2012) in the Local Government Areas of Bankstown Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee. SWSML is represented by the Australian Medicare Local Alliance (AML Alliance) as its peak body and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH) to provide the following functions: Make it easier for patients to access the services they need, by linking GPs, nursing and other health professionals, hospitals and aged care, and maintaining up to date local service directory information Work closely with the local hospital networks to make sure that primary health care services and hospitals work well together for their patients Plan and support local after hours face-to-face GP services Support the implementation of initiatives that improve the prevention and management of disease in primary care providers and primary care Identify where local communities are missing out on services they might need and coordinate services to address gaps Support local primary care providers, such as GPs, practice nurses and allied health providers to adopt and meet quality standards Be accountable to local communities to make sure services are effective and of high quality In addition to these 'core' functions, SWSML is funded to provide leadership and coordination in all key primary health care priority areas in collaboration with such stakeholders including but not limited to: South Western Sydney Local Health District Department of Health and Ageing Primary Health Providers AML Alliance and other Medicare Locals Community organisations and businesses Media Foundation Board as at 1st January 2013 Dr Matthew Gray (Chair) Dr Anett Wegerhoff (Vice Chair) Hon Craig Knowles Prof Rhonda Griffiths Dr Sayeed Khan Dr Vince Roche Ms Amanda Larkin Mr Darryl Wright Mr Rene Pennock (CEO) Ms Lyn Long (Deputy CEO & Company Secretary) (image courtesy of the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing)