The ACT Government and Capital Health Network have signed a new agreement to improve access to affordable, coordinated primary health care in Canberra.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Health and Community Services Directorate and CHN outlines a shared commitment to joint planning, workforce support and improved coordination between GPs and community health providers.

Priorities include attracting and retaining GPs and other primary care workers; expanding access to bulk-billing and affordable care; and improving data sharing and referral pathways between providers.

Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA said: “This MoU is an important step in ensuring our health system is more connected and responsive to the needs of our growing and diverse community…

“By formalising this agreement, the Health and Community Services Directorate and Capital Health Network have committed to working together to achieve better health outcomes and make it easier for people to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

CHN CEO Stacy Leavens said: “This MoU with the Health and Community Services Directorate will enhance a connected health system to support the health and wellbeing of Canberrans.

“To do this, it is essential that we have a stable, satisfied and sustainable primary health care workforce. This MoU will help us to support the valuable primary health care workforce, the backbone of primary health care.

“It will also allow us to work together to better deliver solutions to improve access and experience across the health system, especially for people at-risk of poor health outcomes.”

Canberra Liberals MLA Leanne Castley, however, said: “ACT Labor need to get back to reality and do something rather than waste everyone’s time with bureaucratic nonsense.

“We are being turned away from hospitals, people wait in suffering to be helped, and we have the worst bulk billing rates in the country.

“This government is asleep at the wheel.”