Expressions of Interest: General practice respiratory clinic in Wyndham

⁠⁠⁠Are you interested in supporting the Wyndham community by establishing a general practice respiratory clinic (GPRC)?
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from accredited general practices in priority local government areas (LGAs) to rapidly establish GP respiratory clinics (GPRCs) that have assessment, testing and initial treatment support capabilities.

Background
COVID-19 has highlighted the critical role of primary care in reducing demand on hospitals including presentations to emergency departments for respiratory-type symptoms. The Victorian Government and Victorian primary health networks are collaborating to support more Victorians to access respiratory assessments and COVID-19 testing and care close to where they live.

General practice respiratory clinics (GPRCs) have been rapidly set up across metropolitan Melbourne to support people of all ages with respiratory symptoms to access a comprehensive respiratory assessment and receive immediate support in management of their illness (including COVID-19). GPRC services are available with or without a Medicare card, at no cost to the patient, and these fit-for-purpose facilities are open after hours.

The Victorian Government has funded a new opportunity for a GPRC to be established in the Wyndham local government area (LGA). This GPRC will be contracted to provide services for 6 months.

What is involved?
Mandatory requirements

The proposed GPRC site must:

• be located within or actively servicing the Wyndham LGA
• meet or have capacity to meet the GPRC specifications before commencement of the service
• agree to an external infection prevention and control assessment, and to action all recommendations before commencement of the service.

Set up costs

A one-off initial payment to cover the cost of setting up facilities, including minor works, procurement of equipment, consumables and other essential establishment costs up to $150,000 excluding GST (subject to PHN review and approval).

Monthly payments 

Monthly operational payments of $109,794.00 excluding GST to cover staffing related costs, consumables and facility running costs. (NB: clinic to claim MBS item numbers in addition). These payments are also to cover those patients without a Medicare card. All GPRC services must be bulk billed.