Self Care and Government
Since it took office, the Rudd Government has undertaken some significant healthcare reform activities. Minister for Health & Ageing, The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, has made several key speeches on these reforms including the "Light on the Hill" speech at the Annual Ben Chifley Memorial Dinner on 20 September 2008.
A number of taskforces and think tanks have been established to evaluate the current Australian health landscape and recommend improvements. These groups have all identified the importance of preventative health and personal responsibility for health.
The National Health & Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC)
Prime Minister, The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, and the Minister for Health & Ageing, The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, announced the formation of this Commission on 25 February 2008. Its purpose is "to develop a long-term health reform plan for a modern Australia".
The Commission released its Interim Report A Healthier Future for All Australians in December 2008.
The Final Report of the Commission, A Healthier Future for All Australians was released in June 2009 and is available at: http://www.nhhrc.org.au/internet/nhhrc/publishing.nsf/Content/nhhrc-report
The Final Report contains information and recommendations that are very supportive of ASMI's strategic objective of broadening Self Care in Australia. ASMI prepared a summary of the NHHRC Report (using text copied directly from the document) to illustrate this.
For more information on the NHHRC, visit: www.nhhrc.org.au/internet/nhhrc/publishing.nsf/Content/home-1
Preventative Health Taskforce
The Minister for Health & Ageing, The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, announced the establishment of this Taskforce on 9 April 2008. Its purpose is to provide evidence-based advice to Government and health providers with an initial focus on the burden of chronic disease caused by obesity, tobacco and excessive consumption of alcohol. Preventative Health Partnerships between the Commonwealth and States and Territories, and the development of a National Preventative Health Strategy, are key deliverables in 2008-2009.
The National Preventative Health Strategy was launched on 1 September 2009 and is available at: http://www.preventativehealth.org.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/national-preventative-health-strategy-1lp
The Final Report contains information and recommendations that are very supportive of ASMI's strategic objective of broadening Self Care in Australia. ASMI prepared a summary of the Taskforce's Report (using text copied directly from the document) to illustrate this.
For more information on the Taskforce, visit: http://www.preventativehealth.org.au/
National Primary Health Care Strategy
On 11 June 2008, the Minister for Health & Ageing, The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, announced that the Rudd Government would develop a National Primary Health Care Strategy "to better tackle the health challenges of the 21st Century". This Strategy will look at "how to deliver better frontline care to families across Australia" and strong primary healthcare is central to this objective. An External Reference Group of health experts is supporting the Government in the development of this Strategy.
The final report Primary Health Care Reform in Australia - Report to Support Australia's First Primary Health Care Strategy was released in September 2009 and can be found at: http://www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/nphc-draftreportsupp-toc
The Final Report contains information and recommendations that are very supportive of ASMI's strategic objective of broadening Self Care in Australia. ASMI prepared a summary of the Primary Health Care Report (using text copied directly from the document) to illustrate this.
For more information on the Strategy, visit: www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PHS-QuestionsandAnswers
ASMI has made submissions to all three of these groups. ASMI Members can access these submissions at: www.asmi.com.au/industry/Submissions-and-Discussion-Papers.aspx