News
The National Primary Health Care Partnership Is Established Communique |
| Spokesperson: | Australian Divisions of General Practice Ltd |
| Date: | Monday, 15 May 2006 |
| Category: | National Health News |
| A broad cross section of health professionals and consumers involved in the delivery of primary health services met for the first time today (Friday) in Canberra. Participants agreed to form a new group called the National Primary Health Care Partnership in order to provide a strong united national voice for primary health care. The group acknowledged that the health system is facing many unprecedented challenges – changing patterns of disease, an ageing population and workforce shortages. The Partnership agreed that the solution to the future viability of the Australian health system is a robust primary health care system. A well integrated primary health care system has been shown to improve health outcomes and keep people out of hospital. The Partnership agreed that multidisciplinary teams need to be at the centre of care. The Partnership comprises the key professionals that make up multidisciplinary primary health care teams and consumers. The Partnership’s diversity is unique and will provide a vital and effective new forum to discuss and advance primary health care issues across disciplines and geographic regions. The Partnership will also be available to the Australian governments as a forum for consultation and advice. The Partnership mutually agreed that the conditions are ripe for change in the Australian health system. The importance of innovative multidisciplinary team based models of care is a key priority for the Council of Australian Governments and will be a focus of the Partnership. The Partnership is comprised of the following organisations: The Australian Divisions of General Practice The Australian Pharmacy Guild Optometrists Association Australia Australian Physiotherapy Association Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health Inc The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia Audiology Australia The Australian Psychological Society Ltd Dieticians Association of Australia Royal College of Nursing Australia Australian Practice Nurses Association Consumer’s Health Forum of Australia Australian Health Professionals Australia The Australian Dental Association The Australian Podiatry Association |
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