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 CEO of Research Australia, Nadia Levin spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
- Current medical research and development landscape in Australia
- Investment required to support the Health and Medical Research and Innovation pipeline
- The National Medical Products Industry Plan and its impact on the Australian economy
And lastly Nadia looks at the challenges of the health and medical research sector. In recent years a survey on early and mid-stage researchers by Research Australia, showed 2 out of every 3 were reconsidering a career in research. The workforce of the future will need to look at the role of the human and medical researcher, knowing innovation does exist and will need to continue to change Australia lives (including an ageing population), and deliver new economies of the future.
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HIGHLIGHTS Consumers and communities as agents of health care change and improvement
Policymakers, health administrators and clinicians must learn and embrace new ways to harness the transformative role consumers, community members and carers can play. Conversely, consumers and communities need support, capability and capacity to engage as equals in policy, research, program and service design. This is necessary if are to be less technocratic and realise the vision where all members of society can live the best life possible.
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30 years on, Viertel Foundation legacy continues
One of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, is celebrating three decades of transforming Australian healthcare – with more than $90 million invested in medical research and a legacy of breakthroughs that are saving lives. Viertel Fellowships support some of Australia’s best and brightest researchers and clinicians, with 70 Fellowships awarded to date.
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CASE STUDY: Evolution in the medical device supply chain
For Cardinal Health, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical products, the process begins when products arrive in Australia and are cleared by customs before being stored at their Sydney warehouse. From here, they fulfil orders for various clients, including hospitals and wholesalers, supported by DHL’s logistics services.
