The Primary Health Collaboration and Complex Conditions (Complex Conditions) forms part of the Primary Health Care Development Program. It is administered by the Department of Health to support initiatives that address the rising burden of chronic disease.

There are overarching Guidelines detailing how it will operate. These were last updated in December 2016.

The objectives of the Program are as follows:

• Improved patient outcomes through better management of chronic and complex conditions through integrated, multidisciplinary team based care;
• Improved protocols, procedures and service delivery methods to increase efficiency within primary health care organisations and care providers;
• Better use of evidence based research and data, to support best practice care through the development and implementation of guidelines and policy advice;
• Enhanced clinical reporting and functionality (for example, data cleaning to produce valid registers and reports);
• Development of proactive, population based care initiatives in local communities;
• Increase knowledge about health care and health services amongst patients, carers and families; and
• Strengthening health care professionals’ knowledge and capacity to manage chronic and complex conditions through education and training.

Priority Areas

The following priority areas were identified to achieve the fund's objectives and translate its key principles into practice:

• Prevention across the continuum;
• Early detection and appropriate treatment;
• Integration and continuity of prevention and care; and
• Self-management.