A LONG-TERM NATIONAL HEALTH STRATEGY
Challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population
The Australian Government is committed to improving the overall health of our nation through improved preventative primary health, increased access to general practitioners and new dental care services. Investing in prevention can reduce the estimated 550,000 chronic or preventable admissions to hospital each year. The Australian Government is also committed to reforms to improve our hospital system and to ensuring Australians are able to access the best possible care when they experience serious illness or disease. The Government is also committed to a greater national medical research effort - particularly into the major disease categories impacting millions of Australian families.
The Australia 2020 Summit [1] will examine:
- How we invest to help prevent chronic and acute health problems
- How we plan to ensure all Australians continue to have access to the very best of modern medical technology including pharmaceuticals
- How we meet the emerging regulatory challenges of modern medical technology
- The use of electronic infrastructure to facilitate efficient and effective patient care
- Strategies to preserve Australia's internationally unique blend of public and private health services
- How Australia best plans for the future demands on our medical workforce.
Proposals identified at the summit will also be provided to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commissions for consideration.
Use this online forum to contribute your ideas to the Summit.