A new centre set to transform the way health professionals in Australia work together has been launched at the University of Melbourne.

The Collaborative Practice Centre (CPC) is part of a growing global movement to address gaps in health care caused by limited collaboration between healthcare professionals. The Centre is charged with instilling teamwork and collaborative practices throughout Australia’s healthcare system, from the early stages of training through to upskilling practitioners.

Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler officially opened the CPC, noting its potential to transform patient outcomes, relieve pressure on overstretched practices and hospitals, and improve access in rural and regional communities.

The Collaborative Practice Centre will equip current and future healthcare professionals to collaborate to improve health outcomes.

The launch of the centre is backed by multiple studies that show patients are healthier when clinicians collaborate more closely in their care. Trials involving greater collaboration in specialist-supported GP care notably improved the health of patients with chronic conditions, and studies have shown diabetes patients treated under a highly collaborative model show significantly improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels compared to patients treated using a standard treatment procedure.

The CPC will be based at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus and will coordinate with educational, health, and consumer groups to provide specialised teaming expertise for emerging and practicing healthcare providers.