Consumers must be at the centre of decision-making for Australia's health care system.
Responding to Health Minister Sussan Ley's announcement of the successful tenders to run the 31 Primary Health Networks, incoming CEO Leanne Well said the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) welcomed the decision as an opportunity to improve frontline health services and reduce fragmentation of care.
The new Primary Health Networks will replace the Medicare Locals Network.
They will be operated by a range of providers, including GPs, allied health providers, universities, private health insurers and some former Medicare Locals.
While Labor slammed the involvement of private health insurers, describing it as an attack on Medicare, Ms Wells said they have potential to work effectively as long as they take account of what patients and consumers need, which includes recognising the importance of "coordinated health care".
“The current reality in Australia is that too often patients cannot or do not get the right mix of primary care from GPs, community nurses and allied health providers that would reduce their need for hospital admission,” Ms Wells said.
She also welcomed the Minister's announcement of the PHN’s six priority areas of focus: mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population health, health workforce, eHealth and aged care.
However, according to Ms Wells, structural reform alone is not the answer.
"PHNs must have the right levels of flexible funding and the right leadership mix if they are to get it right. This means a commitment to and culture of consumer leadership and participation in all aspects of their planning, design and evaluation of health services
“The real drivers of health system improvement are patients and clinicians working together regionally: PHNs must have sophisticated, evidence-based programs to ensure that the consumer voice and experience of care is centrally involved in planning and decision making about health solutions.
If they are guided by the patient experience of the system and consumer-led ideas for health system improvement, PHNs have the potential to be the catalysts of real change and innovation," she said.
