Category Archives: Medicare Locals

A red letter day for rural and remote health – provided these questions can be answered

April 27, 2012 – 1:15 pm

How will our two-speed economy constrain efforts to improve rural and remote health across the various states and territories? How can we get the balance right in rural and remote health policy between national uniformity and local flexibility and appropriateness? How can we ensure that the many agencies involved in addressing rural and remote health [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in Health inequalities, health reform, National Preventive Health Agency, rural and remote health, social determinants of health | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

A leader’s reflection on health reform: the merits of “muddling through” and more

April 11, 2012 – 2:22 pm

Professor Stephen Leeder – public health expert, blogger and poet (amongst other things) – has been chair of the Western Sydney Local Health District for the past year. In the article below, you can find out what the experience has taught him so far – about governance, the people who work in health care, the value [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in health reform, Hospitals | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Primary health care: when and where did it all begin?

April 5, 2012 – 2:44 pm

Continuing the primary health care theme of the previous post, health policy expert Professor Philip Davies investigates the history of the terms “primary care” and “primary health care” – a topical matter given the legal action recently dropped by Primary Health Care Ltd. *** Tracking the long history of primary health care Philip Davies writes: After [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in general practice, Hospitals, Journal articles, legal issues, primary health care | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Who is doing what in primary health care reform? And what can we learn from the most promising Medicare Locals?

April 5, 2012 – 12:18 pm

With so much expectation being placed upon primary health care reform and Medicare Locals, what can we learn from those of the new organisations that are expected to be pack-leaders? That was the question I was asking when researching this piece just published by the online publication Inside Story (which also recently appeared as part [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in general practice, Health inequalities, health reform, Hospitals, Indigenous health, primary health care, social determinants of health | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

What helps GPs provide better care to patients with mental disorders? And what doesn’t?

March 30, 2012 – 3:59 pm

A Canadian study investigating the factors that help and hinder GPs in providing care to patients with mental disorders also rings many bells locally. Facilitators included being paid a salary or hourly fees, having longer time slots for consultations, having psychosocial mental health care teams based on site, and having access to multidisciplinary assessment, meetings and [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in general practice, health and medical research, mental health, primary health care | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Unpicking some of the barriers to better collaboration between health professionals involved in diabetes care

March 23, 2012 – 2:43 pm

There is so much rhetoric in the health sector about the importance of collaboration, multidisciplinary approaches and teamwork. But there are many barriers to translating the rhetoric into reality. In its latest Croakey update, the Primary Health Care Research and Information Service (better known as PHC RIS) reports on a study that makes timely and relevant [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in chronic diseases, diabetes, general practice, health and medical research, primary health care | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Medicare Locals should be central to dental reform discussions

February 28, 2012 – 12:45 pm

Stage one of dental health reform should focus on improving access for children and lower income adults, according to recommendations from the National Advisory Council on Dental Health. The Council’s report says improving children’s oral health will reduce the overall burden of disease and improve long‐term oral health across the population, while low income adults [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in child health, dental care, health reform, primary health care, public health | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Restructuring of Queensland Health: a step in the right direction

February 16, 2012 – 10:43 am

For those wondering what is happening in the world of Queensland health reform, here (PDF alert) is a report from KPMG, outlining the planned restructure of Queensland Health. (This Courier-Mail report suggests, however, that the future of the reforms is uncertain in view of next month’s election, with the Opposition opposing the restructuring). A brief [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in health reform, health workforce | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Plenty of challenges and opportunities ahead for the community mental health sector

February 13, 2012 – 1:32 pm

Amongst all the talk about mental health reform and health reform more broadly, we haven’t heard much about the role of the community mental health sector. But the sector is facing profound challenges as a result not only of national health reform, but also disability sector reforms, suggests a recent paper from VICSERV, which represents [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in disabilities, health reform, Indigenous health, mental health | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Introducing the National Campaign for Consumer-Centred Health Care

January 19, 2012 – 4:41 pm

The information below has been provided by a new group, the National Campaign for Consumer-Centred Health Care. It gives some background on the campaign’s aims, principles, membership and plans. It also includes a call for people interested in working with Medicare Locals on behalf of consumers. If you’ve any questions or comments for the new [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in chronic diseases, consumer health information, e-health, health reform, mental health, quality and safety of health care | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)