The Premier, John Brumby, today outlined a comprehensive reform
proposal for the national health system, detailing a ten-point plan
focusing on patients and their needs, disease prevention and more
flexible and sustainable resourcing.
In a speech to a major health conference in Melbourne today, Mr Brumby released the Victorian Government’s proposal, Next Steps in Australian Health Reform, saying Australia needed to take the biggest leap in health care funding since the introduction of Medicare in the 1970s.
“It is my hope that these reform proposals can kick-start a serious national debate and form the basis for negotiation and agreement by the States, Territories and the Commonwealth to move forward on implementing substantial national health reform,” Mr Brumby said.
“In this new era of cooperative federalism, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape and embrace a new, inclusive approach to health in Australia. But a new health care system must be about helping people maintain good health and not just treat them when they fall ill.”
The key elements of Mr Brumby’s 10-point plan for national health reform are:
- The Commonwealth delivering at least an extra $1 billion to the bottom line of the new National Health Care Agreement to make up for falling Federal funding over the past 11 years, as well as delivering a much broader agreement;
- Rolling out of an activity-based funding approach to hospitals across Australia and providing incentives for efficient service delivery;
- The Commonwealth to provide at least one Medicare funded bulk billing GP service in each of our major state public hospital emergency departments for non-emergency patients – this may be in the form of co-located GP clinic or a GP located in an emergency department;
- A network of local Healthy Living Partnerships across Australia to bring together all tiers of government and other key partners to develop new ways to keep people fit and healthy under a national approach to preventative health;
- All States and Territories to follow Victoria’s world-first $600 million WorkHealth program which delivers a work-based preventative health scheme:
- A strategic rollout of more super-clinics in the highest priority areas across Australia including better alignment with existing state-funded services;
- Push forward with a national roll-out of e-Health, so patients and doctors can share medical records and care plans for better treatment and outcomes, with privacy safeguards;
- Build a larger and more flexible workforce by expanding Medicare Benefits Schedule access to allied health professionals, to review the referral rules to cut out unnecessary GP visits, and to find other ways to control access to specialists and related services;
- Enhancing the level of public subsidy and public provision of dental services, particularly for those most in need; and
- Enhance the provision of dedicated elective surgery capacity to increase access and reduce delays, including through selective contracting of the private sector.
“We need to ensure that when someone is ill they can access the right services in the right time, the right time,” Mr Brumby said.
“Today, our health system remains beset by institutional boundaries – boundaries between Commonwealth and State responsibilities, between primary and acute care, and between public and private providers.”
The four key objectives of the Next Steps in Australian Health Reform report are:
- A clear focus on prevention by keeping people healthy;
- A focus on patients and their needs by treating them promptly and efficiently when they become ill;
- Building a fair and sustainable health system by reforming the workforce and making the best use of our doctors and health professionals and strengthening Medicare; and
- Addressing fragmented funding.
Mr Brumby said the previous Federal Government had left too much of the health funding burden to the states and territories.
“I welcome the Rudd Federal Labor Government’s steps to work together with the states and territories to improve our health system and I reaffirm Victoria’s commitment to the COAG reform agenda,” Mr Brumby said.
“But we need to act on the knowledge that many health conditions are preventable, we need to respond effectively to the growth of chronic diseases, we need to connect health service providers more effectively to improve healthcare experience of patients.
“And we need to close the gap on growing inequality in health outcomes, the starkest of which is the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and other Australians.”
Mr Brumby said the old Australian Health Care Agreement expired in a week and a 12 month interim agreement was expected to be in place soon.
“Over those 12 months we will see the report of the National Health and Hospitals Commission, the finalisation of a new funding deal at the Council of Australian Government (COAG), and the development of a new agreement which will fund health services – not just hospitals,” he said.
“But we must take action now and invest wisely to manage the changing health needs of our community. We have an opportunity to work together to build integrated health services delivered through regionally based networks linking all health providers.
“COAG has agreed to an ambitious reform agenda to build the nation’s human capital and create a healthier and more skilled community – one which will underpin the next wave of economic growth and prosperity.”
The full report: Next Steps in Australian Health Reform (PDF 522KB) can be found on the DPC website .
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