Workshop 3 INTRODUCTION TO THE AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Australian healthcare system is a combination of government and privately funded services. It includes three systems: Primary care - first point of contact with health system, based in community setting / outside hospital syste. Doesn't require referral. Services include GPS, dental community services, pharmacists. GOOD PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LINKED TO: · Reduce cost. · Improve efficiency. · Reduce preventable hospitalisations. · Reduce health inequities. · Improve patient satisfaction with care. · Improve health outcomes. · Reduce avoidable mortality. Secondary care - medical care provided by a specialist or facility upon referral from primary care e.g., endocrinologist, cardiologist, geriatrician, pathology services. Tertiary care - include both public and private sectors and incorporate emergency departments. Some services are fully subsidised for Australian such as emergency departments. Other services are partially subsidised via Medicare or Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme and Private Health Insurance. Medicare is part of the publicly funded. Health is not merely the absences of disease, it is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. Healthcare system all the activities whose purpose is to promote, restore, and or maintain health via the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, illness, injury and other physical and mental conditions. · Good health system delivers quality services to all people regardless of when or where they need them. Models of health care 1. Welfare state model · Health is social right for all citizens. . Free to all, regardless of income · Tax funded healthcare by the government
2. Market model · Individual pays for healthcare · Individual rights and freedom of choice take precedence over government intervention Australia = Public welfare + private market Publicly funded services Medicare (1984) funded fully or partially. Services are delivered by the Commonwealth, state territory and local government. Commonwealth · Medical practitioner services · Some optometrist procedure · Limited allied health under direction of a GP . Medicare locals · PBS - co-payment scheme · Private health services for war veterans State & Territory · In-hospital & ambulatory care including, emergency care, outpatient care, elective surgery, medications. · Teaching, research & training · Other funded services e.g., Nurse on call VIC Local . Maternal & Child health · Disability support · Immunisation services . Home and community care services (e.g., personal care assistance, Meals on wheels) · Public health - waste disposal, sewerage · Local planning Private sector Aims to reduce demand/pressure on public health care services. Private health insurance · Individuals can pay for private health insurance (in addition to Medicare levy) · Higher rate if you join a fund after 30 years of age. Pros: access to services quicker (elective surgery, mental health), choice of doctor, choice of hospital (private room), access to additional health care services not cover by Medicare (e.g., dentist, chiropractor, orthotics) National Registration & Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) (2010) NRAS Objectives: · help keep the public safe by ensuring that only health practitioners who are suitably trained and qualified to practise in a