Professional News: April 2010

Courage needed in health reform

When the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) was consulting on the state of the Australian health system during 2008-2009 the ANF urged the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health and Ageing to be bold in their health and aged care reforms. Nurses and midwives experience each day the effects of system inefficiencies and pointless blame games between different levels of bureaucracy. Nurses and midwives know too that there are gaps in service provision; that there are people who don’t or won’t access mainstream health services; and that their expertise is not being recognised or utilised to the full extent. This is why the ANF has been pushing hard throughout the process of the NHHRC deliberations for radical reform - real ‘take the bull by the horns’, ‘frank and fearless’ changes to the way health and aged care services are funded and delivered. We’ve consistently lobbied for change; in written submissions, in presentations to the Commission, in joint meetings with other peak nursing and midwifery organisations, in personal meetings with the Chair of the Commission, Dr Christine Bennett, and with politicians and bureaucrats.

We want to be able to say ‘very courageous Minister”’- not with a sense of warning of impending doom like Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes Minister, but in a positive, affirming way. We want the reforms to bring changes which will really benefit the people for whom we provide health and aged care services. We want people to be able to gain access to health services irrespective of socio-economic status or geographical location. The ANF has made its position quite clear on how nurses and midwives can improve access for people to primary health care, preventative health care, early intervention strategies, aged and community care. The ANF website bears witness to the countless ways in which we have provided this advice to the Commission and the Minister.

The Prime Minister has now announced his intended shake-up of the funding mechanisms for health services. The ANF is cautiously optimistic and, like many others, awaiting more detail of the government’s plans. The desire for greater efficiencies in the expenditure on health and aged care is laudable. However, care must be taken not to institute measures which will in fact be false economies. The introduction of reforms to realise improved quality of care must go hand in hand with support and investment in ensuring a skilled and appropriately resourced health and aged care workforce.

For more information about the work of the Federal Office Professional Team go to the National News section.

Elizabeth Foley,
ANF Federal Professional Officer