...and addressing problems with our system today
Reform is needed now
To continue to enjoy access to world-class health care, we are undertaking far-reaching reform of our health and hospital system to deal with current problems in the system and meet the challenges of the future.
Too much blame and fragmentation between governments
- Australia currently has eight different state and territory health systems.
- The distribution of responsibilities for health between different levels of government is blurred, resulting in duplication, cost-shifting and blame-shifting.
Gaps and poor coordination in health services that people need
- Many people are unable to access GP services after-hours.
- Some groups in our community, such as Indigenous Australians and people with chronic disease, have poor health outcomes, and are unable to access appropriate care.
Too much pressure on public hospitals and health professionals
- Almost one in six elective surgery patients and one in three people attending emergency departments wait longer than the recommended time for treatment.
- Australia's rates of hospital admission are above the OECD average.
An unsustainable funding model
- In the five years to 2007-08, public hospital expenditure grew at an average of close to 10 per cent per year. Projections show that by 2045-46, health spending alone will be more than all own-source tax revenue collected by State and local governments.
Too much inefficiency and waste
- The Productivity Commission estimates that some public hospitals may be running up to 20 per cent less efficiently than best practice.
Not enough local or clinical engagement
- Current arrangements fail to make the most of the expertise of our doctors and nurses. This also means that some services are poorly tailored to community needs.