Ken
It looks like Labor will be the next Govt
Some of the figures for the benefits of IT connectivity seem pretty
extravagant, but it is well argued
The labor policy seems to be putting privacy and security before any
system. This obviously cant be disputed, but I cant help thinking it has
been an excuse for Govts not to move on this. There is little more than
motherhood on IT apart from this. I note a proposal to give Medicare
greater powers to "examine practice variations" - their traditional
hatred for medical elite?
FWIW some other comments
Strategy
There is mention of 10 priority areas - has there been a reasonably
robust strategic review? How did they arrive at these areas?
I dont recall ever seeing a system wide exercise independent of
political/commercial/parochial/state etc considerations - no doubt they
have been done somewhere. Wouldnt waste too much effort on it tho
Cost Drivers (13)
Aging and technology are acknowledged as drivers - what about pure
commerce, especially intellectual property?
PBS(20)
Generic labelling/requirement for similar appearance medications of the
same type. (or at least research into the safety of the current system)
I am seeing an increasing number if incidents wheree patients have taken
the same medication twice under different names
Govt sponsored registration of some cheap medications, rather than the
current entirely passive system
Emergency Dept access (26)
While this may be politically necessary, I wish they would give up on
the furphy that colocated GP services will solve this problem. Waiting
is a necessary evil in emergency - in fact it is often a good thing :)
Indigenous Health (33)
Acknowledge that actual whole of govt health spending per head in
indigenous health is *much* less than in urban areas, though the actual
spending is more "visible". (38) addresses this - should be interesting
Sport (109-127!!)
Rather a lot here
I agree that exercise is vital to health
I say reduce the amount spent on elite sport
Promote physical exercise through sport and also nonsporting activity
(which may be more relevant to adults) through
promote walking tracks and national parks - long distance walking is
becoming an increasingly popular pastime, particularly among older age
groups. It is often a matter of linking current routes and providing low
key shelters/water which are free to use. They should only be accessible
by walking a reasonable distance (say 5km). These are not attractive to
people who want to take their house with them ala a giant mobile home
Bike tracks in cities for commuting - seem to be always the poor
cousin - the car/development always wins
Child Support (128-168)
This is obviously an internal issue but is this health?
Should probably be a separate policy
Thanks for taking a risk and making this public before the meeting :)
Richard
(drafter of the WA Greens Health policy a while ago!)
Dr. Ken Harvey wrote:
[Another well argued plea for action by Michael Georgeff - Executive
summary appended].
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