A rapid literature review to inform primary care policy in Australia
Authors: Yvonne Zurynski, Alex Vedovi, K-lynn Smith
NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability Australian Institute of Health Innovation,
Macquarie University
The Youth healthUpdate newsletter for February 2020 covers:
- RSVP for the Youth Health Forum Roundtable in Melbourne on 30 June 2020 to discuss Youth Pathways into Services
- Information about the Young Carers Policy Forum at the National Press Club in Canberra on 24 March.
- Articles by members about the CHF Board in 2019, the Social Prescribing Roundtable and the PHN Planning Day.
CHF is deeply concerned about the impact the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019 (the Bill) will have on access to essential healthcare services. In particular, we are concerned about provisions that prioritise the religious beliefs of healthcare workers over the healthcare needs of consumers, especially those consumers from vulnerable and marginalised communities who require sensitive and specialist health services.
CHF supports providing protection from discrimination for people of faith, including people of no faith, but we believe this Bill goes too far and undermines existing anti-discrimination provisions by privileging religious expression over other values.
CHF is the national peak body representing the diverse interests of Australian healthcare consumers and those with an interest in health consumer affairs. CHF works to achieve safe, quality, timely healthcare for all Australians, supported by accessible health information and systems.
Read CHF's response to the second exposure draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019 and associated amendments.
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Rural and Remote Health Newsletter - Issue 2
Social prescribing is the practice where health professionals, including GPs, have the resources and infrastructure to link patients with social services – or even social groups – in a bid to address the social determinants contributing to poor health and stave off the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. A GP may, for example, suggest a patient join a local running group to enjoy the benefits of exercise and interaction.
The Australian Government is currently developing long-term plans for both primary healthcare and preventive health. This presents an opportunity to incorporate social prescribing into future health system planning and service delivery strategies.
CHF has partnered with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability to host a roundtable on social prescribing in Australia. This stimulus paper in support of the November 2019 roundtable can now be viewed.
The report on the roundtable was released in February 2020.
Related articles
Social prescribing - a new way to think about healthcare (article)
Media release: A new type of prescribing for Australian patients (media release)
The Productivity Commission’s inquiry into mental health examines the effect of mental health on people’s ability to participate in and prosper in the community and workplace. The Draft Report was released in October 2019 and opportunity to give feedback was invited, up to 23 January 2020. Read CHF's response to the Draft Report
Australia's high-quality health care system, with universal access to publicly funded and provided services augmented by a private health care system, consistently performs well in international comparisons. However, indicators of access and equity show that Australia does not do so well, coming seventh out of the 11 countries survey on equity and fourth on access. This is despite Medicare providing universal access to primary care and hospital treatment.
CHF’s submission for the 2020 Federal Budget, released on 22 January 2020, proposes 23 recommendations for change, covering ten broad areas ranging from prevention to aged care and primary health. Consumers have voiced their concerns about uncertainty, and the cost of health care services, both of which are important components of access.
CHF's recommendations to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Faculty of Radiation Oncology on the comprehensive guide for Establishing and sustaining regional, rural and remote radiation therapy centres.
CHF notes that where the guide refers to engagement with consumers, the information should be clear, direct and tangible to avoid confusion or inaction. We recommend including additional information to emphasise the role of the consumer advisory committee with examples to illustrate how this has been done well by organisations such as Primary Health Networks. We have asked that the guide include references to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Partnering with Consumers Standard. Read our submission below: