(Sorry for the brevity below, but I’m posting this in extreme hurry…but am continuing to update the links)
Here you can read the Opposition’s election health policies released today. And here is the Australian General Practice Network’s unfavourable review. “A major step backwards,” says the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association. Too hospital-centric, says the Consumers Health Forum. “Will do nothing to improve health services in the bush,” says the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.
This analysis of Abbott’s health policy from a fellow Crikey blog, Larvatus Prodeo, concludes: “Malcolm Fraser said this morning that Abbott’s mob were unfit for government. Elect them at your peril.”
But a tick from the AMA. And the Australian Doctor’s Fund is also backing it.
And below is a statement distributed today by the NSW Health Director-General, Professor Debora Picone. Croakey readers have already been in touch to say it looks like a case of deja vu. Or back to the future, perhaps…
“Today the Premier  Kristina Keneally and the Deputy Premier and  Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt have released a discussion paper proposing  the establishment of 17 Local Health Networks in New South  Wales.
You will recall that in April this year the Commonwealth, State and  Territory Governments (except WA) reached agreement to reform health care in  Australia, to make our health system more sustainable, improve patient care  through strengthened local decision-making and improve integration between  Commonwealth and State Health Services.
The establishment of  Local Health Networks (LHNs) are a key component in driving the implementation  of the reforms. As you know, senior health officials and I have been holding  forums around the State to seek the views of community, clinicians, and health  managers on the best way to approach the creation of the LHNs.
We have used your  feedback to develop criteria for the establishment of the networks and drafted  a proposal that the Minister and I are now seeking your feedback on, along  with that of community members and representative organisations.
The Discussion Paper  represents the next significant step in the reform process and proposes 15  LHNs comprising a group of hospitals with geographical or functional links  which will work closely with new Medicare Locals to ensure better integration  of services.  In addition there will be 2 specialist networks – the  Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (Randwick and Westmead) and Forensic  Services.
The paper gives a practical outline of the responsibilities of LHNs  including: local planning and delivery of clinical services, budget  management, clinical governance, patient services, infection control and  workforce management.
The paper also includes  a commitment to ensure that some of the gains made in recent years such as  clinical service networks and our focus on the health needs of the population  continue. This reflects the very strong feedback of our clinicians.
Each LHN will have a  Chief Executive and Governing Council which will comprise members with a  variety of health, clinical, business and other skills. Local clinicians  will be included in the membership of governing  councils.
I would urge you to have  a look at the paper (www.health.nsw.gov.au <http://www.health.nsw.gov.au> ) and ask that  you provide us with your thoughts and comments over the next four  weeks.
Once the boundaries are  finalised we will be making the necessary changes to establish the Local  Health Networks which will replace the current eight Area Health Services. It  is anticipated the bulk of the changes will be in the senior levels of management.
Some key principles will  underpin these changes including:
·         No  disruption to direct patient care services
·         These changes will not  result in reduction of front line staff
·         Openness and  transparency in providing information to staff
I am keen to minimise  any disruption to you or your colleagues as we transition to the new  structure. And I am committed to maintaining regular contact with you,  as will your direct managers so as to keep you  informed.
I recognise that the  transition to LHNs presents some challenges but the scale of national health  reform also provides us with great opportunities to improve our already world  class health system so that we continue to deliver the best possible patient  care.
This is an important  time in NSW Health and your input is key in making the best decisions for our  public health system. I will continue to meet with staff over the coming  weeks and I look to forward to receiving your  feedback.
Kind  regards
Professor Debora Picone  AM
Director-General
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Meanwhile, Croakey would very much like to hear readers’ assessments of both the Coalition policies, and the NSW plans…
