A Healthier Future for all Australians - Final Report June 2009
Introduction
The Final Report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission presents the why, the what, and the how for a long term reform agenda for Australia’s health system.
This Report builds on Beyond the Blame Game (April 2008) and our Interim Report (December 2008) to complete a body of work for consideration by governments in their pursuit of health reform.
In April 2009, we released a supplementary paper, Person-controlled Electronic Health Records, and a background paper, The Australian Health Care System: The Potential for Efficiency Gains, was released in June 2009.
We have actively consulted with governments, government agencies, the health sector, health consumers and with the community through meetings, forums, and our website. Hundreds of submissions have been received in response to our Interim Report.
A Healthier Future For All Australians: Final Report completes a staged process of listening, learning, reviewing and advising that has been extensive, rewarding and, ultimately, a privilege.
Many of the most expert health thinkers in this country and internationally have generously given their time, constructive criticisms and ideas.
And we have been exposed to the very real health needs and concerns of the Australian population put powerfully to us through our community forums, written submissions, and other feedback mechanisms.
We now present our final reform recommendations to the governments of Australia, along with a roadmap for action in the short, medium and long terms.
Health is everybody’s business. We all have a role to play in our own health and in the health of our communities. We hope that these recommendations will encourage and inform action by individuals, community and consumer groups, health funds, schools, businesses, universities, professional colleges and industry bodies, clinicians, researchers and health managers to make Australians the healthiest people in the world.
