Community care - the glebe approach

The short history of Community Health Centres in Australia has been a stormy one. They have been seen as a threat by sections of the health care professionals. To some there is insecurity of roles and status, which can arise from the claims of emerging professions who are trying to establish their identities within the health-care team. To others, livelihood is threatened and health centres have been seen as the Labor Government's first steps towards nationalisation of Health. In this context it is interesting to note that regionalisation, including neighbourhood health centres, was a policy of the New South Wales Liberal Government long before it became Federal policy under a Labor Government. Questions of leadership, co-ordination and responsibility within health centres have also caused conflict. This has occurred at a time of rapid change, not only in health care delivery, but in the whole of society. It is no wonder people are confused.