Despite early sharp elbows and plenty left to do, the AMA and federal government broke bread together last week with goodwill and no fisticuffs ... or ticking bombs.
Last week, at its national conference on the Gold Coast, the AMA has launched the second edition of its 10-year vision for the future health of Australians, reflecting on the progress of the last three years.
The manifesto calls for a healthcare system centred on prevention, that values equity of access and quality care, in the midst of a system under ever-mounting pressure.
“The AMA’s research in the past two years reflects this systemwide struggle, with access and affordability issues in primary care; a logjam in our public hospitals; a private system in need of reform, and persistent and new public health issues,” said AMA president Professor Steve Robson.
“Meanwhile, we have a lack of investment in preventive health — with growing rates of chronic disease further burdening the system.”
The core pain points, according to the association’s members, include long waiting lists for appointments, workforce shortages, public hospitals that are over capacity, the increasing costs of healthcare, and inadequate supply of services in many areas of Australia.
Navigating the hodgepodge of regulatory requirements amid increasing costs and administrative burden, is also challenging system viability.
Without urgent progress reforming Medicare and bolstering general practice, the picture seems somewhat bleak.
Professor Robson said collaboration was a necessity for a healthy healthcare system and reiterated the need for a preventative focus – a proactive rather than reactive system.
“The pandemic underscored the importance of our health system and those who work in it, and demonstrated what could be achieved, with shifts in thinking about policy,” he said.
“While governments recognise the pervasive impact of poor health, healthcare is still viewed as a cost rather than a strategic investment.
“This creates a system that responds to poor health outcomes rather than preventing them.
“We need to change this thinking.”
Professor Robson said the vision should act as a blueprint, and that the association looked forward to working with governments to enact the plan.
Speaking at AMA24, federal health minister Mark Butler said he was excited to read the document in full, but from an initial review it appeared to contain “a hell of a lot of good policy”.
“I’m looking forward to reading it at length and I’m hoping it will continue to shape the public debate and the understanding among other leaders of our country beyond the health portfolio about what we need to do to continue our performance in health,” he told delegates.
“Because as your report points out, as significant as the challenges are that we face, Australians do have a lot to be proud of in our health system.”
But, added Mr Butler, “we still have so much to do, we really do”.
Professor Robson concurred that while there had been progress over recent years – namely federal investment in general practice and public hospitals – it was time for innovative reform.
“We have also seen continued efforts to break down the silos in the health system, and deeper collaboration across governments,” he said.
“While this is a good start, pressures remain, and we see the impact those pressures have on doctors and patients across the country.
“Now is the time for innovative policies and measures to address the issues facing our healthcare system and ensure all Australians, regardless of where they come from, have access to good healthcare.”
Mr Butler said, after a “shaky start” to his relationship with the AMA president, he hoped to continue the burgeoning government-AMA relationship to build the sector.
“If ever there was a risk that the health sector would fall back into some of those old habits of loud voices and sharp elbows being deployed, of ‘a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles’, then [the Scope of Practice, Effectiveness and Working Better for Medicare] reviews may well test our collective resolve,” Mr Butler said.
“But if we are to strengthen Medicare for the needs of a modern Australia, with very different needs to those that confronted people 40 years ago, then we are going to need to resist that urge.
“I really hope the AMA will continue to set that tone and leadership of compromise, collaboration, and concern for patient interests.
“Let us prove that we need not be bound by some of historical contests, as we strengthen Medicare and reform the health system for the next 40 years.”
Professor Robson reassured Mr Butler as he was ushered offstage, an AMA party-bag in hand: “It’s not ticking, don’t worry.”
