From the Office of Health Minister, Nicola Roxon…..
The plan charting the path for national health reform implementation was released today by Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon.
“The Implementation Plan shows how the benefits of health reform—increasing the sustainability of public hospitals, delivering unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability, less waste and significantly less waiting for patients—will be achieved.
“It builds on the extensive progress that has already been made in the past 18 months by consumers, clinicians and governments in achieving health reform.
“To support national health reform, the Commonwealth has committed $66.6 billion in key new health spending measures since 2007. At least $19.8 billion of this will provide more beds and better care in our hospitals over the next decade.
“The Implementation Plan outlines the plans and milestones to be met in achieving health reform in: hospitals, GP and primary care, aged care, mental health, national standards and performance, workforce, prevention and eHealth.
“For example, the plan outlines in detail the different components of the $2.2 billion package of mental health reforms announced by the Commonwealth.
“Work also continues to establish the National Health Performance Authority and the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority as the Commonwealth successfully moves its health reform Bills through the Parliament.
“National Health Reform: Progress and Delivery demonstrates the significant progress in implementing health reform that has already been made,” Ms Roxon said.
Key achievements to date include:
More than $1 billion has already been delivered to the states and territories to begin funding 460 projects in 370 hospitals, as a part of the Commonwealth’s additional $19.8 billion investment in our hospitals.
The first group of Medicare Locals have been established to drive better primary health care across Australia.
The after hours GP line has been established in most States and Territories and has already received more than 20,000 calls.
Local Hospital Networks in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria have commenced. The remaining states and territories are on track to commence by 1 July 2012.
The inaugural Chairs and Deputy Chairs for the National Health Performance Authority and Independent Hospital Performance Authority have been announced.
A new national telephone number to link older Australians and their families to aged care through the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre commenced from July 2011.
Thirty-two, out of a total of 64, GP Super Clinics are now either open, providing early services or under construction in communities across Australia.
The first locums supported under the Nursing and Allied Health Locum Scheme commenced in mid-July 2011, allowing rural nurses and rural allied health workers to take leave to access professional development activities.
Agreement has been reached between Australian Governments to include hospital infection rates on the popular My Hospitals website.
The transparent, integrated delivery of this truly national approach to health reform will drive better services for communities across Australia.
The National Health Reform: Progress and Delivery publication is available at www.yourhealth.gov.au
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister’s Office on 0409 945 476
