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 Pathology Technology Australia, Dean Whiting spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:

• Pathology Technology Australia’s key priorities in the coming years
• Current local capability in pathology technology compared to other countries
• How the health system supports change and adoption of pathology technology
• How pathology is perceived by the public and in government as well as how developments in pathology technology are followed and understood
• Observations in the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report

And lastly Dean looks towards the Federal Budget this year and in 2024 for the adoption of currently unfunded pathology tests, that could alter pathology as a cost centre to one that saves the health system considerable money.