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Interim report shows positive moves towards a sustainable health system

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 Interim Report, released today.

The Sustainable Health Review aims to develop a more sustainable health system for Western Australia.

The review outcomes will assist in informing future decisions about the way health is managed to ensure Western Australians are receiving quality healthcare that can be sustained for our future generations.

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 will see the Government establish 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 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.