Building multidisciplinary care in Hume and Melton – the Health Care Neighbourhood Project

As part of the Australian Government’s Strengthening Medicare reforms, primary health networks across the country are building coordinated care teams to deliver high-quality continuity of care to address people’s health needs.

With funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) has commissioned multidisciplinary care from allied health professionals and general practices to improve the health of under-served patients.

Known as the ‘Health Care Neighbourhood Project’, activity initially focused on the Hume local government area. A second, similar project was launched in Melton soon after.

In both LGAs are priority locations to extend and test the multidisciplinary model. Rates of chronic disease are high, causing residents to be frequently hospitalised or attend emergency departments.

NWMPHN commissioned general practices across Hume and Melton. It also commissioned a dedicated neighbourhood care team in each LGA, comprising a care coordinator and a social worker to provide care coordination and support for the practices.

NWMPHN is working with the commissioned providers and, where appropriate, patient representatives to co-design a model that best suits each practice’s ways of working.

The project aims to improve patient care by designing and delivering multidisciplinary care in general practice. It will also strengthen the capability of primary care providers to deliver multidisciplinary care.

Intended long-term outcomes

• Participating general practices and allied health providers develop their capability, and the utility of the model of care is sustained after the life cycle of the project.
• Broader acceptance that the multidisciplinary model of care developed through the project is a good way of working and integrated into general practice.
• Improvements in chronic disease management sustained by primary care providers and patients, leading to better patient outcomes, reduced hospital admissions and improved integration.

Page updated 20 October 2026.