It Will Be Interesting To See Where This Is Heading. Looks Important And Not Good!
http://healthcaregover.blogspot.com/2014/01/it-will-be-interesting-to-see-where.html
Government puts key talks on health reform on hold for six months
- SEAN PARNELL HEALTH EDITOR
FEDERAL, state and territory health ministers earlier this year resolved to have a high-level advisory committee explore "possible future directions for future reform of Australia's health system".
The committee was to look at how this could be done through a closer working relationship between GPs and hospitals, better e-health solutions and improved co-ordination of care for people with chronic and complex conditions, including cancer.
The NSW government was then tasked with reporting on the progress of the existing National Health Reform Agreement, including the performance of various bodies established by the Rudd and Gillard governments, and with developing a framework and timeline for further reform work.
The much-anticipated blueprint was not delivered at last month's meeting of the Standing Council on Health as expected, and documents obtained by The Weekend Australian under Freedom of Information laws show it was deliberately deferred.
A briefing paper for federal Health Minister Peter Dutton shows the federal government wanted to delay the blueprint presentation until the council meets next May, to allow further budget cuts and governance changes to be detailed.
"We do not currently have a clear indication of the government's inclination to support further health reform," the paper said.
There was also some concern that preparation of a blueprint "may initiate reform proposals from the states and territories that the commonwealth does not support" whereas "deferral will allow more time to ensure the proposed work aligns with the commonwealth government health priorities".
More here:
The delay is clearly to allow the present Government to absorb and develop responses to the Medicare Locals Review, the PCEHR Review and the Commission of Audit - all of which seem likely to be responded to in the May Budget.
One has to imagine that the deferral means there is going to be budget action one way or another in these areas. I would lay ‘London to a brick’ that funding increases are not actually being seriously considered. I think you can also be sure the Health Sector overall is going to take some sort of hit in May!
Back to the restful quiet summer now!
David.
