- Sustainable Health Review Interim Report reflects input from hundreds of stakeholders across Western Australia
- Report presents 12 directions and nine recommendations for immediate action
- Final report due in November 2018
The Sustainable Health Review Interim Report has been released - a critical step in the McGowan Labor Government's plans to put the Health budget on a more sustainable footing.
The State Government will use the review to inform future decisions about the way health is managed to ensure Western Australians are receiving quality healthcare that can be sustained for our future generations.
Improving care in the community, and an increased focus on health prevention and promotion are among the key themes outlined in the interim report of the Sustainable Health Review released today.
The interim report reflects consultation undertaken at a grassroots level with patients, stakeholders and community members. More than 330 public submissions were received and 19 forums were held across WA.
The report makes some significant observations about the realities of our health system today. It also considers sustainability in terms of patient experience, population health outcomes and safety and quality of services, cost and waste reduction and staff engagement.
Some of the immediate recommendations include the Department of Health taking an active leadership role in preventative health, and expanding the use of telehealth technology.
Work has already begun on WA's first Medihotel adjacent to Fiona Stanley Hospital to free up expensive hospital beds, and Urgent Care Clinics will reduce the pressure on emergency departments.
Through Patient Opinion, the Government is driving a responsive and transparent health system, and is creating a single web portal for health consumers to access key health information such as emergency department or elective surgery waiting times.
The interim report identifies that an innovative workforce and the use of technology can help drive change.
The Future Health Research and Innovation Fund commits the Government to establishing a $1 billion fund to drive medical research and innovation, which will include a cancer research plan for the next decade and an innovation hub at Royal Perth Hospital.
The innovation hub will breathe new life into an old and beloved facility, and provide an ecosystem to create Western Australian jobs of the future.
The panel's further consultation and work in the coming months will shape the development of its final report and recommendations due to Government in November 2018. For more details on the Sustainable Health Review and to read the interim report, visit http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/sustainablehealthreview
Comments attributed to Health Minister Roger Cook:
"I would like to thank the Sustainable Health Review Panel for this interim report.
"The directions and recommendations will help drive improvements in our health system. It is clear that what is required for the sustainability of the WA health system now goes beyond buildings.
"The chronic mismanagement by the previous Liberal National Government saw health expenditure grow to an unsustainable 30 per cent of the State spend.
"Transformational change is needed, giving emphasis to reinvestment, people, culture and behaviour.
"Government departments can no longer work in isolation to address some of the most significant health issues facing the community. A co-ordinated and collaborative approach across several agencies is essential to achieve progress.
"Our health services must become more efficient and effective, which means progressing towards a digital health system, focusing on reducing waste and encouraging innovative practice.
"The panel is keen to know if they have got it right so far, and are encouraging everyone to participate in one of the many opportunities for feedback that will be provided in the coming months.
"I urge all Western Australians to take this opportunity to be involved."
Minister's office - 6552 6500
