Media Release: 10 June 2009
More community health care now, that’s the remedy for our ailing hospitals
In response to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report on hospitals, Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) said the best remedy for Australia’s hospitals is to keep people out of them.
“Hospital waiting lists will continue to blow out unless governments act now to give Australians access to quick and effective health care in their communities,” ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said.
The ANF want community health centres expanded to all areas of Australia.
“Let’s get working on building community health centres where people can get quick and effective health care from a range of health professionals, appropriate to the needs of each community,” Ms Kearney said. “If there is a young community with lots of new families emphasise maternity services and maternal and child health care, if it is older have more aged care services.”
We need community health care centres that will not only treat illnesses but can also keep people healthy through:
- Community health and lifestyle programs;
- Managing chronic disease; and
- Targeted health services.
The report shows that 9% of hospital admissions are preventable, keeping people out of hospital is the thing that will reduce the pressure.
Media Contacts
Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
Lee Thomas, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary, 0419 576 590
Libby Muir, ANF Communications Officer, 0413 834 979
The ANF, with 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.