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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Reducing patient accessibility barriers in the clinical setting
Hannah McPierzie is a globally respected presenter, disability advocate, and educator who offers a unique perspective on disability and communication. She lives with Neurofibromatosis Type 2, a rare degenerative condition, and has two auditory brainstem implants. After 15 years teaching in the disability sector, Hannah acquired disability herself in 2020, when life-saving surgery left her deafblind.
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Indigenous physio leadership
On the eve of NAIDOC week 2023, Australian Health Journal met with Scott Willis, the National President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, a proud Palawa man and the first Indigenous President of the Australian health peak body.
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Representing the profession that impacts individual lives and communities
Michelle Oliver is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with nearly two decades of leadership and clinical expertise across the mental health, homelessness, and disability sectors. She holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of South Australia and is a registered practitioner with AHPRA.
