Joint statement following PSAAP meeting 10 June 2020

The PSAAP (PHO Services Agreement Amendment Protocol) Group on 10 June discussed the following issues:

• All parties agreed the need for a nationally consistent approach in the development and implementation of Planned Care services within community settings. PSAAP agreed this is a high priority, with working group activity to proceed with some urgency.

• The COVID-19 response required a rapid uptake of telehealth as a consultation modality within primary care. Telehealth will remain a key consultation modality and presents significant opportunity in terms of improving patient access and choice. Currently PHO Service Utilisation (SU) reporting does not capture consultation modality. PSAAP agreed to establish a working group to develop a SU reporting specification that would capture this information and address other long-standing issues associated with SU data extraction and reporting. This work is to be undertaken as soon as possible and link with the telehealth work being undertaken by Health Care Home Collaborative and the NZ Telehealth Forum.

• Discussions on the funding uplift for 2020/21 continued. Contracted Providers expressed urgent concern that the proposed uplift in First Level Services capitation will be insufficient to address the financial impact of the Primary Care Nursing MECA. Primary care representatives also suggested it is insufficient to maintain the value of capitation and inconsistent with the Minister’s Letter of Expectations with respect to primary care.

• PSAAP discussed the funding uplifts for 2020/21 will take effect from 1 July 2020 through a compulsory variation to 6.2 to the PHOSA.

• PSAAP acknowledge that the effective funding of primary care is still an issue that needs to be addressed.

• PSAAP agreed that for the purposes of the contractual requirements within the PHOSA, practices with Foundation Standard expiring between now and 31 December 2020 are granted an extension until 31 December 2020 to meet the new Foundation Standard.

• PSAAP discussed the need for assistance to support