Abstract

Interest in expanding and reforming the role of primary health and community support services is increasing. In part this reflects the steadily building evidence that stronger primary health care services lead to better health outcomes. But probably more importantly substitution, prevention and diversion through primary health and community support are seen as a way of reducing the pressure and costs of expensive secondary and tertiary services in hospitals and residential institutions. There is considerable interest in limiting growth in demand and expenditure for hospital and residential care services.