After Hours Innovative Grants Recipients Announced

13 December, 2016

EMPHN is pleased to announce 22 successful grant applications from general practice and pharmacy across the catchment.

Eastern Melbourne PHN (EMPHN) invited applications for After-hours Innovation Grants Round 2 to general practices and pharmacies, the purpose of which was to enhance access to clinical care and medication dispensing in the after-hours period.  Grants of up to $20,000 are available.

EMPHN received 39 applications (31 General Practices and 8 Pharmacies).  An Evaluation Panel was established, members of which assessed applications against four key criteria developed from the grant guidelines. Members attended a Tender Evaluation Panel (TEP) meeting on 20 October 2016.  The TEP consisted of members from external organisations and internal staff members.  During the meeting all eligible applications were scored and the 22 highest ranked applications were identified and were recommended for funding under this grant round.

Successful Grant Applicants

Practices 

After Hours GP Clinic - T/as Outcome Health
Box Hill Superclinic
Bundoora Family Clinic
Burwood Health Care
Danaher Drive Medical Centre
Encompass Health Group 
First Health Medical Centre
Modern Medical Balwyn
Modern Medical Bayswater
Mount Evelyn Medical Clinic
Mount Medical Centre
Netcare Medical
Plenty Valley Community Health GP Super Clinic
Relax Medical Care Pty Ltd
Wallan Medical Centre 
Whittlesea Family Medical Centre

Pharmacies

Belgrave Community Pharmacy
Discount Pharmacy Balwyn
Launching Place Pharmacy
LowPrice Pharmacy Heidelberg
Pharmacy@Knox
Wattle Park Amcal

Summary of Grants

  • Successful applications included a number of innovative activities to address gaps in After Hours Medical Care including:
  • Development of a new model of After Hours Integrated Care for the CALD/Refugee population group
  • Providing additional GP and pharmaceutical services in the after-hours in a geographical area of need
  • Implementation of a community awareness campaign promoting after hours services
  • Expansion of Opioid Replacement Therapy Programs in targeted geographical areas
  • Development of a bulk billed out of hours sexual health clinic for sexually transmitted infection (STI) including screening and treatment
  • Increase in specialist services in the after-hours period including paediatrics and endocrinologists for patients in the Outer North of the EMPHN catchment
  • Partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services to increase access to psychology and psychiatry services in the After Hours