News
Rudd's plan a healthy start to reform - AHHA |
| Spokesperson: | Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association |
| Date: | Wednesday, 3 March 2010 |
| Category: | National Health News |
| The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) welcomes the Government's proposals for future health system governance and looks forward to hearing further details of some key outstanding issues in the reform plan. "All Australians should welcome the moves by the Prime Minister to build a sustainable future for our important public health system. Having a workable, well thought out plan for the health system is absolutely critical, and no mean feat when you are dealing with complex behaviours and structures that have been entrenched over many years and even decades," said Ms Cydde Miller, Policy and Networks Manager for the AHHA. "As with any major proposals for change, there is a lot of detail to be worked out. However, AHHA is pleased that the Prime Minister's reform plan meets some key principles required to drive improvements across the health system that should, in theory, result in improved health outcomes. "AHHA has strongly advocated for improved national consistency of hospital funding along with greater transparency and accountability, as the key to driving better service quality and planning. We welcome the proposed moves in this direction. AHHA also supports the Government's plan to shift clinical input and financial decision-making closer to the community through local networks of health providers. Flexibility to use funds to meet local needs is essential, and would be a great step forward to have a national framework that guides this for all health services across the country. "There are some critical issues that are largely missing from the proposals that AHHA hopes will be addressed in the context of further announcements mooted by the Prime Minister. For example, while we welcome the inclusion of non-hospital health services in proposed 'Local Hospital Networks' we believe it is critical that their ability to improve service integration and coordination is continually monitored to ensure progress is being made. AHHA also suggests establishing a body to plan for service delivery and innovative models of collaborative care. "Other key questions in relation to these networks need to be answered, including the details of their size, number, what support will be provided to develop the Networks where there is no existing approach, and what plan there is for evolving the Networks to cover all health funding and provision. The AHHA is also keen to know how the Government will be dealing with dental health and e-health issues, given that both of these cross acute and primary care boundaries. "AHHA would also like to see more detail on the mechanisms for consumer engagement in the proposed reforms and, in particular, more information about how key consumer health issues, such as a person-controlled health record, will be addressed. Finally, we need more evidence for how the proposals will actually change service delivery and provision, particularly to ensure equity of access and quality health care for consumers. "AHHA looks forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders to address these issues and welcomes this starting point on which to build a new vision for the health system," said Ms Miller. |
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