Medical Models of Care Review

The Objective

The project aimed to review and provide recommendations in response to the reduction of General Practitioner (GP) Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) medical cover for Kyabram District Health Services’ (KDHS’s) Urgent Care Centre, Acute Inpatient Ward, and Residential Aged Care.

Our Approach

The project involved a comprehensive assessment of the impacts on KDHS’s clinical services, workforce models, and financial performance resulting from the reduction in GP VMO medical cover. Options were provided to ensure medical cover on weekends and public holidays. The project also projected the likely impacts on the administrative workforce and requirements for locum recruitment, credentialling, and onboarding. The review explored the role of KDHS in rural medical training programs, assessed medical engagement in clinical governance activities, and recommended strategies for change management and risk mitigation.

The Outcomes

The final report presented 18 recommendations and an implementation checklist to optimise medical coverage, maintain clinical service capacity, and ensure financial and operational sustainability. It also included risk mitigation strategies to address workforce and service provision challenges. These outcomes support the continued delivery of essential medical services within the KDHS region, despite reduced availability of GP VMOs.