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Health Care Reform

Fixing the problems that beset the Australian hospital system

John M Dwyer
MJA 2008; 189 (4): 220-221

Public hospitals need an injection of cash to help reduce demand for hospital services; networking and role delineation among hospitals would immediately increase safety and quality

Key propositions

  • Funding — an immediate injection of $1 billion and agreement on equal state and federal funding of hospitals.

  • Institutional — networking and role delineation for metropolitan hospitals, including subclassification of emergency departments to more accurately delineate their capacity; improved inter-hospital transport systems; and development of a mutually beneficial partnership between public and private hospitals.

  • Workforce and staffing — accreditation of the skills of individual doctors who work as locums, restoration of constructive and timely interaction between clinicians and senior management, and a supportive environment to promote staff retention.

  • Demand management — building up out-of-hospital services and preventive care.

  • Community engagement — dialogue with the community to make sure they understand the rationale for the proposed changes.

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