Building a 21st Century Primary Health Care System: A Draft of Australia's First National Primary Health Care Strategy
Moving to Our 21st Century Primary Health Care System
The Draft Strategy sets out an ambitious agenda for change over the longer term. Progressing this level of change is significant - and will need support and engagement across the community and from health professionals.
Putting it into practice will need careful management - practical steps to build on what we currently have and what is working well, but with a clear picture of the features of the system that it is moving towards.
The Draft Strategy recognises that changes will take time - that new systems and infrastructure will be needed, that health professionals need support to develop new skills and new ways of working together, and that the quality and safety of our services must be maintained throughout. But there are some areas where the need for change is pressing - where our current system is falling short and not providing individuals and communities with the care they need.
The Draft Strategy will develop what is currently a disparate collection of interdependent services into what will become a more cohesive system, providing the opportunity to improve cost-effectiveness and drive evidence-based clinical practice, resulting in a system that is more adaptable and responsive to patients' needs. This system will need to have governance arrangements that are simple, well-understood and drive improved health outcomes for the community. It will also need to ensure that there is good articulation for both patients and health care providers with both the acute and aged care systems.
The Draft Strategy signals the commitment of the Australian Government to reform in this important area of health care. However, successful implementation of the directions identified in the Draft Strategy will require concerted and collaborative effort from many quarters.
Its implementation will not be without challenges: for health professionals and health care organisations to adopt new ways of working; for Governments to develop new approaches including to service delivery and aspects of funding; and for consumers to influence and engage with change.