Equitable access to healthcare – the evidence for moving forward
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The latest issue of the Australian Health Review, published by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA), highlights critical areas for improvement in the Australian healthcare system, with a particular emphasis on mental health reform and innovative workforce solutions.
Dr Sonĵ Hall, Editor in Chief of the Australian Health Review, underscores the importance of addressing mental health needs: “Most Australians will face a mental health issue during their lifetime, and we need a health system and workforce that is able to deal with the intricacies and specific needs of individuals seeking mental health care.”
The journal features a policy reflection from Prof Ian Hickie and Dr Sebastian Rosenberg of the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, which examines the progress of mental health reform in Australia. They advocate for implementing existing recommendations before initiating new inquiries, and call for reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Another focus of the issue is the challenges faced by individuals with young-onset dementia in accessing appropriate care. Dr Hall notes, “Rarely spoken about, this issue has two papers examining the vexed question of how people with young-onset dementia are referred into the health and aged care systems, and how they access and register with public mental health services.”
The journal also explores potential solutions to healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in non-urban areas. “We know that we do not have enough healthcare professionals to meet current demand, especially outside of the major cities. This issue of the journal postulates that we could use our current workforce more effectively,” Dr Hall explains.
Several policy reflections discuss expanding the scope of practice for health professionals, including radiographers, sonographers, and podiatric surgeons, to optimize patient care and improve workforce conditions.
Lastly, the issue addresses lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, covering topics such as maintaining health during isolation, parental leave, workforce adaptations, and supporting rehabilitation for COVID-19 recovery.
