Category Archives: health reform

Some hard truths about health care

November 17, 2009 – 9:35 am

Health reform is in the wind but perhaps it won’t really make the difference that is being sought unless it acknowledges and addresses some hard truths about health care.
That is the suggestion of this very interesting piece below from Patrick Bolton, who has long and diverse experience in the industry.  He has worked as a [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in Hospitals, quality and safety of health care | Tagged , | Comments (4)

How many calories would you like with that order?

November 13, 2009 – 10:42 am

The health care reform bill in the US is so weighty that many people haven’t yet twigged that it contains a significant provision for those concerned about a healthy food supply and obesity. The provision would require anyone who operates chain restaurants or vending machines with more than 20 locations to provide a calorie count [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in Food, obesity, public health | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)

Is the NT leading the way in primary health care reform and Indigenous health partnerships?

November 11, 2009 – 4:38 pm

The NT seems to be making some strides in primary health care reform. The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) has provided this report of a launch that took place today:
The launch on Remembrance Day of Pathways to community control was a poignant moment for Stephanie Bell, chairperson of AMSANT.
For the first time, the [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in Indigenous health | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Are pharmacists really so inward looking?

November 11, 2009 – 1:43 pm

I have a story in the Crikey bulletin today, that asks the question: Are pharmacists the most defensive, insular and change resistant of all the health professions?
It’s about how health reform advocate John Menadue was “disinvited” from speaking at an Australian College of Pharmacy meeting, after making a provocative speech to a pharmacy conference, as [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in health workforce, pharmacy | Tagged , | Comments (1)

There is more to the GP super clinic story than you might have heard

November 11, 2009 – 1:24 pm

It’s been interesting to watch how the various media outlets have been reporting on a campaign by a group of GPs against super clinics, including a protest staged in western Sydney this week.
Many of the reports, whether in the local or the national press seemed to uncritically buy the GPs’ line that super clinics will [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in Media-related issues, general practice | Tagged , , , | Comments (9)

Regulation works: a postcard from France

November 10, 2009 – 8:33 pm

All eyes may be on the US just now when it comes to discussions about health care reform, but perhaps it’s worth looking to the French as well.
Croakey’s roving health correspondent Simon Burrow reports on his recent experiences with the French health system:

By Croakey | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Let’s shake up the debate about medical training

November 10, 2009 – 9:17 am

Health workforce maldistribution and shortages, and the oncoming tsunami of medical graduates are generating widespread discussions about the future of health and medical training in the context of moves towards health reform.
Professor Bruce Robinson, dean of medicine at the University of Sydney, has recently suggested that one solution may be to broaden the range of [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in health and medical education, health workforce | Tagged , | Comments (3)

Is it time to stop beating up on men?

November 6, 2009 – 10:00 am

The health sector, strangely enough, has a long history of beating up on those it is meant to serve. Men, for example, have been widely castigated for being “poor patients”. What this means is that they haven’t always done what health services or health professionals think they should – ie turn up for appointments, seek [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in men's health | Comments (6)

Where are the Feds in the Central Australian dialysis dilemma?

November 4, 2009 – 9:32 am

As the previous Croakey posts report, the NT Government is under fire for its policy of refusing dialysis treatment in Alice Springs to Central Australians who live outside the Territory’s borders.
But the spotlight should be put on the Federal Government, argues Professor Wendy Hoy, of the Centre for Chronic Disease, School of Medicine, University [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in Indigenous health, primary health care | Comments (0)

Hospital management is too important to leave to medicos

November 2, 2009 – 8:31 pm

A call for hospital management to return to arrangements of the past has drawn fire from former senior health service manager Michael Moodie and health economist Professor Gavin Mooney.
They write:
“John Graham’s suggestion for saving NSW hospitals, as outlined in his recent Centre for Independent Studies monologue, dreams of hospitals managing their own affairs unfettered by [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in Health inequalities, Hospitals | Tagged , | Comments (4)