The debate over funding for public hospitals has become so entrenched that policy makers can no longer think beyond the fight over who should cough up the dollars. In this CPD Occasional Paper, Jennifer Doggett explores the case for taking the pressure off hospitals in an entirely new way.

John Menadue | Presentation at 11th National Rural Health Conference

CPD’s John Menadue was recently invited to speak at the 11th National Rural Health Conference, held in Perth in March 2011. Here is an edited version of John Menadue’s speaking notes: There are systemic problems in our health sector – a lack of guiding values and principles, governance confusion, exclusion of the community from health decisions, rapidly rising costs and the obsession with hospitals. We are bedevilled by powerful special interests. But what are the particular … more

Shock Tactics

Are the ads made by John Singleton attacking the ALP’s health record telling the whole story? Jennifer Doggett tunes in Along with the ghosts of Labor leaders past, Julia Gillard now has to contend with ex-Labor supporter and adman John Singleton’s foray into the election campaign. Singleton’s agency Banjo has developed a series of advertisements attacking Labor’s health record on behalf of corporate medical outfit Primary Health Care. The ads feature a woman dying of … more

Are Doctors the Cornerstones of Primary Health Care?

Are doctors the cornerstones of primary health care? If they are currently, they shouldn’t be. Patients should be. The fact that we have in this country a health system which uses a funding system for primary care centred around funding providers – not patients, not need – is a sad reflection that patients are no longer the cornerstone of primary care. However I think I’m correct in saying that the debate today is about how … more

 

What is the health service for? Where is the strategy in health reform?

What is the health service for? The health debate in Australia has several shortcomings. First, it focuses on managerialism without establishing the values that should underpin and drive a national health service. Fragmentation, inefficiency and waste are important issues, but do we want a well-managed and efficient system that lacks guiding values? What is the health service for? Secondly, the debate reflects the interests of provider groups who reluctantly concede incremental reform but oppose necessary … more

Health Economics talk for Directors of Pharmacy

CPD fellow Jennifer Doggett will address the Directors of Pharmacy from all the major public hospitals in NSW and the ACT when she speaks on health financing reforms at a Hospira conference on October 31, 2008. Jennifer will specifically address current and prospective health funding reforms, looking at what changes are proposed and how these changes will affect pharmacies, health workers and their patients. The talk will be held in Sydney. Click through to www.hospira.com.au … more

CPD submission to the NHHRC

The Centre for Policy Research responded to the NHHRC’s call for submissions on its Draft Principles for Australia’s Health System and on its Terms of Reference, offering comments based on our own research and publications in the area of health policy reform. Click below to read the full submission to the NHHRC.

 

Health & hospital reform: advice to the commissioners

The new members of the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission certainly have their work cut out for them – Australia’s health policies are widely agreed to be in need of major surgery. CPD asked several health experts to contribute their thoughts on the challenges the Commission will face, and the steps it will need to take to bring about real change. If you would like to contribute your thoughts on this issue please send … more

Strategic directions for a national primary health care policy

Strategic directions for a national primary health care policy Prepared by Rod Wilson, Victorian Medicare Action Group, Tony McBride, Health Issues Centre, Tim Woodruff, Doctors Reform Society Introduction This strategy identifies the steps required by Australian governments to create integrated and accessible primary healthcare teams at a local level. The implementation of this strategy is vital to providing a comprehensive health care system for all the people of Australia. It requires and enables governments to … more

Forget the specialists, focus on primary care

The key factor in the overall health of a community is affordable, accessible, high-quality primary care. Image from Skrasii ‘Who’s the best knee man in town?? a friend asked. ?I need a really good dermatologist,? said another. As a GP, I?ve become adept at fielding such questions, and I’ve long since given up explaining that choosing the ‘right’ specialist isn’t going to impact significantly on health outcomes in the vast majority of cases. I’ve learnt … more