It is the long term that matters — not a quick fix
Kevin Rudd’s election commitment in November 2007 to take over the funding of public hospitals and fix them has led to a bold and courageous plan,1 unveiled after a 15-month review by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) and further extensive consultations. Some pillory the delay, but with such a complex system and so much at stake, caution is admirable. The real questions are whether the solution offered on 3 March 2010 for public hospitals1 will work, and what problems will it solve? Further debate is urgently needed.
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- 4. Joseph AP, Hunyor SN. The Royal North Shore Hospital inquiry: an analysis of the recommendations and the implications for quality and safety in Australian public hospitals. Med J Aust 2008; 188: 469-472. <MJA full text>
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