In this Op-Ed piece GP, Dr Paresh Dawda who has patients in palliative care, and palliative care nurse practitioner Nikki Johnston OAM talk about the issues that need be addressed in the Australian health system to support patients with complex care needs.
The current model is discussed where there are limits on how palliative care patients can be cared for by traditional GPs and in clinical settings. The absence of a national register and definitions, affect all areas of the community, not just those who don’t have equal access.
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Michelle Fenwick – Northern Health
The outskirts of Melbourne is experiencing significant population growth over the next 10 years and Northern Health has taken preemptive steps to ensure the supply of new talented healthcare staff as well as develop the culture of the workplace.
Michelle Fenwick, the Executive Director of Northern Health spoke with our reporter Anne Dao on the challenges of this urban growth over the past 3 years. By 2031 the region is expected to increase in population by 63%. Added to this is hiring and training the right workforce to align with the clinical care needs of people coming into the healthcare centres.
Culture is forming in a growing organisation with approximately 70% of staff having been at Northern Health less than 4 years. However there is opportunity for clinical staff to accelerate their career in such an environment
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Sonia Marshall – South Western Sydney Local Health District
South Western Sydney Local Health District serves nearly 1 million people in a rapidly growing area of Sydney. Currently 250-300 families a week are moving into the region and with a growing population, the health district requires well executed strategy and delivery of healthcare to the population. Executive Director Sonia Marshall spoke with Australian Health Journal reporter Anne Dao at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week in Sydney, on supporting staff and the community. Sonia highlights the mission of delivering Safe Quality Healthcare at all times. In-time patient feedback is important and the SWSLHD has implemented a system called “My Experience Matters” to give near immediate response from patients on their level of care, whilst they are still on site at the hospital. The aim of the initiative is to quickly identify bad experiences that could be rectified.
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Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) Blueprint Refresh Roundtable
AHHA’s Blueprint Refresh Roundtable brings together AHHA members and other Australian health leaders to evaluate the progress made to date against Healthy people, healthy systems and to tease out key policy issues that need to be addressed in order to implement outcomes-focused, value-based care in Australia.
