Wednesday, 12th May 2010
Mutual Community commends the government's health initiatives
As a leading healthcare provider, Mutual Community commends the government for introducing a range of measures designed to improve the health of every Australian.
The 2010 Budget will invest $2.2 billion over four years in important public health and hospital reforms. Importantly, this increased funding is in addition to the recent health reforms announced at COAG.
We are particularly pleased that around $467 million has been allocated to deliver the required infrastructure to enable access to individual personal controlled electronic health records for all Australians.
This is something Mutual Community has been advocating for on behalf of our members for some time. We note the NHHRC - which was chaired by our chief medical officer, Dr Christine Bennett - highlighted the controlled e-health record as a vital enabler of person-centred health care.
Enabling Australians to have access to their health records electronically, and to be able to share them with their health care professionals, will improve patient safety and health care delivery.
These records will also help with effective co-ordination of care across different health care providers and settings. They will also improve efficiency by reducing unnecessary duplication of history taking, diagnostic test results and provide better medication management.
Another significant package of initiatives aims to strengthen primary health care. Initiatives include more GP Super Clinics, funding for practice nurses and the establishment of Medicare Locals which will co-ordinate primary care services for local communities, including after-hours access to GPs.
We are confident these changes, in combination with those announced following the April COAG meeting, should contribute to improved health outcomes for all Australians if effectively implemented. Additionally, they should also maintain the strong and effective balance between the public and private systems.
Mutual Community welcomes the Government’s responses to the three significant reports delivered to it in 2009. We would encourage further strengthening of the focus on prevention and look forward to contributing to the work of the new National Preventative Health Agency, once established.
The challenge now for the health system will be effective implementation and Mutual Community welcomes the opportunity to participate in and work closely with the Government and other industry bodies towards creating a strong, healthy and sustainable healthcare system for all Australians.
- Ends -
For more information please contact:
| Matt Allison |
| Media and Corporate Communications Manager |
| Mobile: +61 (407 440 212) |
| matt.allison@bupa.com.au |
About Bupa Australia
Bupa Australia is a leading healthcare provider. With a significant presence in every Australian state and territory, the company operates under the trusted and respected brands, HBA, MBF, Mutual Community and Clearview, proudly covering more than three million Australians.
Bupa Australia is driven by the vision of “Taking care of the lives in our hands”. The company is focused on providing sustainable health insurance and financial services solutions that represent real value to customers, and on leading the industry in the promotion of preventive health and wellness.
Bupa Australia’s products and services include cover for hospital, medical, ancillary and ambulance services, as well as travel, life, car and home insurance, and retirement planning and lifestyle management services.
As part of the international Bupa Group, Bupa Australia draws on the strength and expertise of an international healthcare leader. The Bupa Group covers more than 10 million people in over 200 countries and provides other health and financial services to many more millions of customers around the globe.
