Negotiations continue in the bid to secure redundancy packages for a "handful" of outgoing employees of the Western NSW Medicare Local, which has been replaced by a new organisation from today.
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The Western NSW Primary Health Network (PHN) has begun operations from a base at Dubbo, part of the rollout of the federal Coalition government's plan for frontline services.
Unlike Medicare Locals, the PHN's role is to commission services and it will not usually deliver them.
Marathon Health is one of the main agencies being commissioned by the Western NSW PHN to deliver primary health services.
Stephen Jackson was deputy chief of the region's Medicare Local until it ceased operations and is chief executive officer of Marathon Health.
He said on Tuesday most services delivered had been retained and "the vast majority of staff" had gained positions under the new arrangements.
But he confirmed there had been "some reduction in staffing through funding constraints" that affected "fewer than 10 people".
Dr Jenny Beange, who was at the helm of the Western NSW Medicare Local, is the interim chief executive officer of the Western NSW PHN.
The area covered by the Western NSW PHN will be equivalent to the Far West and Western NSW Local Health Districts.
It would have its headquarters at Dubbo and Marathon Health would be based at Bathurst, but both would maintain staff in those two locations and in "seven to eight locations across the region", Mr Jackson reported.
With strict guidelines for the use of Medicare Local funding, some employees face some uncertainty.
Mr Jackson said advice received had given cause for optimism but he cautioned that they were still negotiating with the Commonwealth about redundancy packages.
"The vast majority of staff have secured positions in the two new organisations and only a handful are affected," he said.
"However we are of course concerned about their position and are making every effort to assist in their future."
On the eve of the rollout Mr Jackson said they would be doing everything to ensure minimal impact on the community.
"We have had a big focus on maintaining services right across the region," he said.
"Most of the services have been retained.
"We will be working with shareholders and looking to maintain excellent relationships with Local Health Districts, general practitioners and allied health providers.
"We believe our services to date are valued and intend to keep delivering and expanding those."
