In the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
Others have stated their priorities directly with Federal Government. Through these interviews, AHJ gives a final opportunity to communicate to all health stakeholders, the funding needs for a range of priorities. These range from new models of care to pilots and wholesale, system improvements to building more sustainable workforces to help grow certain sectors of the health system
The Chief Executive Officer of The Australasian College of Paramedicine, John Bruning spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
- New models of care proposed for paramedics
- Paramedicine pilot program in the pre-budget submission
- Scope of how paramedics can support General Practice, and guidelines on safety and quality
- Current limitations experienced by paramedics needing to be addressed by Government
Lastly John talks about other priorities he hopes are included in the Federal Budget. These include a longer term, widespread reform view of the health system. There has been an approach where things have been “added on, gaps filled, issues identified” in 3-4 year cycles. John hopes there is a direction taken where health is completely reformed, including in access for regional, remote and 1st nations people. John sees the public needing further guidance and awareness on the health system to support public health literacy.
Finally cultural training is needed to deliver safe and appropriate health care to the range of diverse populations that clinicians serve. This can lead to fulfilling and purposeful workforce, which in itself needs the Government to consider the wellbeing aspects of clinicians during very challenging times in the pandemic.
You Might also like
-
Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary talks Nursing Leadership
Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary FACN,
Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer,
Metro North Hospital Hospital & Health Service, Queensland
talks Nursing Leadership -
Unleashing the potential of Paramedic skills and knowledge
According to a prominent paramedicine academic and researcher, paramedics have the potential to provide much-needed care in the community, changing the traditional healthcare model. Research points to paramedics having a wider healthcare workforce impact based on their ability to identify and fix problems 24/7.
Dr. Brendan Shannon is Head of Postgraduate Programs in the Department of Paramedicine at Monash University and a member of The Australasian College of Paramedicine. His interests including refining healthcare models, to ensure underserved communities receive requisite care. These alternative care pathways, like outreach programs, can work out of hospitals to provide care in underserved communities with social and complex chronic conditions.
-
Dental marketing insights from leading authority
Winning the Australian Dental Industry Award for Marketing has had a big impact to Dental Marketing Solutions. As Angus comments in closing, “Receiving the award is social proof to say, well, these guys must know something, because an independent body of their peers has assessed them and said”. He added, “Certainly it’s been good in terms of building our business.”