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About AHHA

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) is Australia’s national peak body for public and not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare providers.

Our board includes:

AHHA News

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is the peak body and professional membership association for all nurses working outside of a hospital setting in Australia and have been a member of AHHA since 2016. APNA champions the role of primary health care nurses to advance professional recognition, ensure workforce sustainability, nurture leadership in health, and optimise the role of nurses in patient-centred care.

APNA is led by Chief Executive Officer, Ken Griffin. Ken has more than 20 years marketing, communications and government affairs experience in the healthcare, not-for-profit, pharmaceutical, beverage and logistics sectors. Ken brings significant strategic capability to APNA and is a determined and passionate supporter of primary health care nursing.

APNA represents a significant and rapidly expanding workforce; primary health care nurses account for around one in eight of the 640,000 registered health professionals in Australia.

The Health Advocate - May 2023

This issue of The Health Advocate is dedicated to digital health care, the advancements we have made so far, and the road ahead as new technologies continue to develop at a rapid rate. Artificial intelligence is one such technology. Its swift adoption across all facets of life is not a reflection of new technology so much as the convergence of data proliferation, algorithmic advances and computing power and affordability. The rate of AI development is accelerating, and developments are being applied broadly across diverse industries. But is our health system set up to adopt AI in a way that best meets the needs of individual patients, providers and the population? Will investment be outcomes-focused and value based? Are goals of equity and sustainability ensured in our investments?

With the mid-term review of the National Health Reform Agreement currently underway, it is time for strong leadership and a commitment to policies that will enable us to deliver the health outcomes that are made possible with technology.

AHHA Abroad - International Hospital Federation in Japan

Next week, AHHA Chief Executive Kylie Woolcock will join the

International Hospital Federation (IHF) Governing Council in Japan to discuss all things hospitals and VBHC in the pacific region.

The AHHA is a long standing member of the IHF. The IHF aims to connect and support healthcare leaders through training and development; and creates forums for international, peer to peer knowledge exchange.

The IHF vision if for a world of healthy communities served by well-managed hospitals and health services where all individuals reach their highest health potential. Motivated by a shared commitment to well-managed hospitals, IHF members act together to improve the standard, quality, and level of healthcare service delivery.

IHF activities and resources can be accessed through AHHA membership. See our website for further details on AHHA membership.

Policy and advocacy

Policy Reflections

The latest issue of the Australian Health Review, included two Policy Reflections authored by members of the AHR editorial advisory board, Jane Hall and Stephen Duckett; who consider Australia’s healthcare system and the growing and changing health needs of Australia.

Authors question the system’s resilience and whether it is able to cope with future shocks, such as environmental catastrophes and financial crises. Also, the work to be done in ensuring Medicare is fit for purpose and is able to supports Australia’s future healthcare needs.

WHO: Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH)

The Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) works to realize the ambition set at COP26 to build climate resilient and sustainable health systems, using the collective power of WHO Member States and other stakeholders to drive this agenda forward at pace and scale; and promote the integration of climate change and health nexus into respective national, regional, and global plans.

Four thematic working groups will work to address common issues:

• Financing the Health Commitments on Climate Resilient and Sustainable Low Carbon Health Systems.

• Climate Resilient Health Systems.

• Low Carbon Sustainable Health Systems.

• Supply chains. 

AHHA is a non-State member of the Alliance.

Measuring what matters – second consultation process

The Government is committed to release a new stand alone Measuring What Matters Statement in 2023. The Statement will be Australia’s first national framework on wellbeing and will evolve over time. It will be used to help assess Australia’s progress and guide efforts to create more opportunities for more Australians in more parts of our country. 

A second consultation process has now commenced in an effort to engage even more broadly with the Australian public. You can read our submission to the first consultation here.

AHHA has long been committed to ensuring that what is measured within healthcare is what matters to people and communities. This has been demonstrated through our commitment and thought leadership in value-based health care (VBHC), a framework for restructuring health care to focus on facilitating improvements in the outcomes that matter to people and communities for the cost of achieving those improvements, across a full pathway of care.

What we now need is  a nationally consistent approach that will allow benchmarking across the various Australian jurisdictions, to inform and promote the diffusion of ideas and innovation. This is an opportunity to help this happen.

Please contact admin@ahha.asn.au if you would like more information about the second AHHA consultation process.

Vaping Regulation Reforms

Australia has made international headlines this month as it seeks to undertake the most significant smoking-related public health reforms in over a decade. The Albanese Government announced more than $700 million to be included in the 2023-24 budget to tackle smoking related harm and support a dramatic policy shift in the regulation of vaping, following an enquiry by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Restrictions on the sale of nicotine vapes were first introduced in 2021. However, concerns regarding the continued sale of unlabelled nicotine vapes, vaping-related health risks, and the explosion in use amongst young people in schools were all cited in spurring the Federal Government to action. With the new regulations, recreational vaping will be effectively banned. Access to vaping products will only be available at pharmacies via prescription; with new packaging, ingredient, and flavouring restrictions to better reflect the treatment of vaping as a therapeutic tool to support people looking to quit smoking.

The move has been largely welcomed among public health organisations including the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, and public health experts around the country who characterised the changes as an important step to prevent a repeat of the tragic health impacts smoking has had on a whole new generation of Australians. The move was denounced by the National Party and some public health commentators, some of whom have called for a taxation and regulation approach to vaping, similar to policies taken in New Zealand.

Research

Highlight: 2023 Deeble Summer Scholar

Dr Natalie Winter 2023 Deeble Scholar Research Fellow

Faculty of Health Deakin University

We thank HESTA - sponsor of the Deeble Summer Scholarships

Voluntary Patient Registration

Voluntary patient registration, or VPR, has been an increasingly hot topic in recent years. The concept, where patients can choose to register with a primary care provider, has been put forward as a proposal to support better continuity of care, strengthen relationships between patient and provider, and provide more integrated, person-centred care.

Patient registration models in primary care are not uncommon in other health systems around the world, and have been staple in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) since its introduction in the mid-20th century. However, these models vary widely across different national contexts and there remain significant questions as to how the system could best work locally.

This year, the Commonwealth will introduce MyMedicare, a new voluntary patient registration model aimed at improving continuity of care for all Australians.

Universal healthcare has been a core value of Australia’s healthcare system since the introduction of Medicare; and yet we are now ranked 8th out of 11 high income countries for access to care (Commonwealth Fund, 2021). Surely then, one of the most pressing questions associated with the implementation of MyMedicare must be around its potential impact on equity of access.

We now offer, through a 2023 Deeble Institute Fellowship, a prestigious opportunity to explore VPR reforms in Australia.

The Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research is currently offering a fellowship opportunity to an outstanding mid-career researcher with a background in health systems research or related research field. Supported by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA), the Fellow will lead the development of a Health Policy Issues Brief on:

Equitable access to healthcare: voluntary patient registration reforms

Applicants will be expected to have excellent writing skills and demonstrated strength in research and be able to contribute thought leadership to the Australian health reform agenda.

Eligibility: 5-15 years post PhD

Location: Virtual

Duration: 3 months

Stipend: $10,000

Expressions of interest will need to include a cover letter, a two-page CV and two referee reports.

Applications close COB 16 May 2023.

This Fellowship is supported by the Capital Health Network.

MRFF Grant Opportunities

The following new MRFF grant opportunities are now open:

• 2023 Cardiovascular Health grant opportunity

• 2023 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care grant opportunity

• 2023 Stem Cell Therapies grant opportunity.

  
  

Visit GrantConnect for more information, including all related timeframes.

Member research

Problems with the use of AI enabled medical devices are a concern for the safety of patients

Macquarie University has published a world first review into the safety of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled medical devices (defined as AI systems used for the diagnosis, management, or prevention of disease) approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA), reports that algorithms associated with the use of AI enabled medical devices—such as imaging for diagnosis and treatment, radiotherapy planning software, insulin dose calculators, clinical patient monitors, and cardiac arrhythmia detection apps—are not the only area of concern for the safety of patients.

Led by Dr David Lyell and Professor Farah Magrabi from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, the research found a number of kinds of safety concerns when AI enabled medical devices are used in real world settings.

Most safety events (82%) involved problems with acquiring the data needed by AI and 11% related to device problems including algorithms. However, human factors issues were proportionally higher in the events involving patient harm than technical problems.

Articles of interest

follow the Deeble Institute on socials

Government

‘Rebuilding Medicare for the 21st Century’

On the 28th April National Cabinet met in Brisbane to agree a  national apporoach to a range of key priorities for Australians, including health, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the transition to net zero and strengthening nationa renters’ rights

The health reforms announced, included:

• Supporting workforces to work at top of scope, including pharmacists, paramedics

• Expanding the nursing workforce to improve access to primary care.

• Improving access to and delivery of after-hours primary care.

• Introducing MyMedicare to support wrap around care for patients registered with their local GP through new blended payment models.

• Providing flexible funding for multi-disciplinary team-based models to improve quality of care.

• Investing in digital health to improve health outcomes.

  
  

National Cabinet indicated that health reforms will be aimed at delivering on the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report and will be funded through the Strengthening Medicare Fund. They also agreed that the federation should be a driver for practical and meaningful reform, not a barrier. 

Further details on the funding of these policies, along with other policies that will deliver on the Government’s commitment to Strengthen Medicare, will be provided in the May Budget.

Read the Prime Minister's media release on the proposed commitment here.

Read AHHA's media release here.

An overview of the measures that have been announced can be found here.

National Press Club: Minister’s address

Value based health care

Measure what matters: the importance of measuring climate impact, and the health sector’s environmental footprint to deliver value

Climate change, human health, and healthcare systems are inextricably linked. CO2 emissions, and climate change are increasingly impacting on the health and wellbeing of people and communities  at great cost to the health system. Systems reform, such as VBHC, must therefore embed consideration of climate change and its impacts on health and healthcare.

The 2021 Deeble institute for health policy issues brief Transforming the health system for sustainability: environmental leadership through a value-based health care strategy demonstrates the inherent alignment of healthcare sustainability and VBHC. The brief argues that sustainability must be core to conceptualisations of outcomes and costs within the VBHC equation.

The 2022 Deeble Institute for Health Policy Issues brief Decarbonising clinical care in Australia explored the  contribution that the healthcare sector (7%) to Australia’s national carbon emissions and the role it must play in mitigating its own impact. As the climate warms, extreme weather events, such as floods, fires, pandemics and heatwaves, will drive demand for healthcare, yet there is currently a lack of data being collected to inform changes in practice.

Therefore a  key priority of VBHC, which aims to measures what matters to people and communities, must also be also to include measures of health sector carbon emissions  and the impact of climate change on health  considered within the framework of ‘what matters’.

 A recent article authored by members of the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research We can’t mitigate what we don’t monitor: using informatics to measure and improve healthcare systems’ climate impact and environmental footprint scoped potential informatics solutions to monitor the carbon footprint of healthcare systems and to support climate-change decision-making for clinicians and healthcare policy makers. The article discusses the importance of methods and tools that can link environmental, economic, and healthcare data, and outlines challenges to the sustainability of monitoring efforts.

A greater understanding of interplay between climate, health and value will only be possible through further development and use of models and tools that integrate diverse data sources.

Harnessing better data collection and reporting will be critical for incentivising sector-wide reform for a more environmentally sustainable, value-based, high-quality healthcare system.

Save the Date! 2023 Value Based Health Care Congress

Articles of interest

follow the ACVBHC on socials

Feature Video

Webinar: Access to Acute Stroke Treatment in Australia

For our April webinar, we were joined by experts, Prof Mark Parsons, A/Prof Laetitia de Villiers, Zoe Schofield and patient and advocate Marina Chiovetti to discuss the state of access to acute stroke treatment in Australia and the recently launched White Paper. The webinar covered the current challenges for access to stroke treatment, particularly for rural and regional patients, and the life changing impacts that quick access to targeted treatments can have. You can now watch this webinar in full on our YouTube channel.

Australian Health Review is an international, peer-reviewed journal that publishes contributions on all aspects of health policy, management and governance; healthcare delivery systems; workforce; health financing; and other matters of interest to those working in health care. In addition to analyses and commentary, the journal publishes original research from practitioners – managers and clinicians – and reports of breakthrough projects that demonstrate better ways of delivering care.

Australian Health Review explores major national and international health issues and questions, enabling health professionals to keep their fingers on the pulse of the nation’s health decisions and to know what the most influential commentators and decision makers are thinking.

The journal can also be accessed via the AHHA homepage.

Featured articles

• Is Australia’s lack of national clinical leadership hampering efforts with the oral health policy agenda?

• Health policy evaluation in rural and remote Australia: a qualitative exploration and lessons from the Northern Territory

• Potential therapeutic value of new drugs approved in Australia: a retrospective cohort study

• Healthcare practitioner use of real-time prescription monitoring tools: an online survey

• Opioid dispensing 2008–18: a Queensland perspective

• Emergency clinician perceptions of patients who present frequently to the emergency department: a snapshot of current practice

• Patterns of intensive care unit emergencies

• Exploring the delivery of phase II cardiac rehabilitation services in rural and remote Australia: a scoping review