The Primary Care Infrastructure Grants initiative is being implemented under the GP Super Clinics Program and comprises $64.5 million in 2010-11 and $52.5 million in 2011-12. Details of the three government grant streams available in 2010-11 are contained within the application package.
The Department invites government grant applications for Primary Care Infrastructure Grant funding from individuals and organisations to enable existing facilities to expand or to upgrade space for GPs¸ nurses and/or allied health professionals¸ strengthen team-based care services¸ establish or extend clinical training facilities¸ and provide GP Super Clinic-style services.
How will this initiative work?
Around 23 new GP Super Clinics will be provided, comprising:
- approximately 9 new large GP Super Clinics. In addition to doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, these clinics are expected to include more specialised services such as renal dialysis, minor surgical procedures, rehabilitation services, radiology and state funded services. They will have significant capacity for inter-professional clinical training and education.
- approximately 14 new medium GP Super Clinics will also provide access to a wide range of health professionals and services, scaled to suit a smaller population than the large clinics.
Three streams of government grants will be provided to build the capacity of about 425 existing general practices, primary care and community health services, and Aboriginal Medical
Services to deliver GP Super Clinic style services:
- Government grants of up to $150,000 will be available to existing general practices, primary care and community health services, and Aboriginal Medical Services to expand or upgrade, for example, allied health services or provide accommodation for an additional GP or practice nurse.
- Government grants of up to $300,000 will be available to existing facilities that, for example, expand or upgrade accommodation for additional doctors, allied health professionals or practice nurses, strengthen team based care services and offer extended hours.
- Government grants of up to $500,000 will be available for existing facilities that, in addition to the previously identified elements, also establish teaching facilities and transition to a GP Super Clinic style facility.
Direct and competitive government grants will commence in 2010-11 to establish medium and large GP Super Clinics. Competitive grants will also be available to upgrade and extend existing primary care services.
The Program Objectives
The Primary Care Infrastructure Grant initiative has five Objectives across the three grant streams. These Objectives are to:
- Upgrade or extend existing facilities to provide space for additional general practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals and/or students on clinical placements;
- Provide access to new services that meet local community health needs with a focus on preventative activities and better chronic disease management;
- Strengthen team-based approaches to the delivery of care by providing, for example, additional space for case conferencing and/or group activities such as lifestyle modification clinics and/or shared service delivery by more than one health professional;
- Provide extended hours of service where these do not exist, for example additional services in the early morning, later in the evening or on weekends; and
- Develop new, or enhance existing, clinical training facilities.
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria for the Primary Care Infrastructure Grants are as follows:
- The potential for the proposal to achieve the Objectives as specified for each grant stream
- The efficient and effective use of the funds. Applicants should note that, in considering the extent to which the application meets selection criterion 2, the Application Assessment Panel will have regard to the following:
- The relative merit of each application;
- The geographic location of the applicant’s existing facility and the existence of similar organisations in the area capable of achieving the same outcomes;
- The existence or otherwise of other funding sources available to the applicant for a capital works project;
- Whether the facility is accredited against relevant industry and/or training standards or is progressing towards this; and
- Contributions by other funding sources to the project which either increase the overall value of the project without increasing the value of the funds provided by the Commonwealth under this Program;
- or reduce the Commonwealth’s financial contribution but still achieve the same objectives.
What can the funding be used for?
Primary Care Infrastructure Grant funding can be used for:
- Professional fees for the design of the capital works project;
- Professional fees for legal and accountancy advice relating directly to the capital works project;
- Application fees for Development Approval, Building Permits and the like;
- Direct construction, including fit-out, costs for labour and materials for builders, plumbers, electricians etc;
- Supply and installation of information and communication technology equipment including both hardware and software; or
- Supply and installation (as appropriate) of essential medical equipment.
Government grants cannot be applied towards the cost of:
- Ongoing operating (recurrent) costs (e.g. rent, utilities, salaries, maintenance);
- Professional health service delivery;
- The purchase of consumables (other than a consumables pack that may be supplied with equipment on delivery);
- The purchase of existing facilities, businesses or land;
- Travel and accommodation; or
- Student or staff overnight/residential accommodation.
Who can apply?
Applications for government grants are open to organisations or individuals operating existing facilities which are providing general practice (GP) services e.g. general practices, primary care and community health services and Aboriginal Medical Services.
Closing Date is 20 August 2010
Don’t miss out on this government grant, contact us for professional advice with the government grant application.