To the Editor: The growing burden of chronic disease, an ageing population and recurring workforce pressures have been identified as three key challenges facing Australia’s health care system.1 Coping with these challenges involves developing strategies to ensure equity in access2 to health services, better preventive health measures and a more patient-centred health service — all with a focus on better health outcomes for Australians.
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- 1. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy: a discussion paper from the Australian Government. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2008. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PHS-DiscussionPaper (accessed May 2009).
- 2. Kidd MK, Watts IT, Saltman DC. Primary health care reform: equity is the key. Med J Aust 2008; 189: 221-222. <MJA full text>
- 3. Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee. The general practice workforce in Australia: supply and requirements to 2013. Sydney: AMWAC, 2005.
- 4. Mooney GH. The people principle in Australian health care. Med J Aust 2008; 189: 171-172. <MJA full text>
- 5. Grimmer-Somers K, Dolejs W, Atkinson J, Worley A. Integrated GP and allied health care for patients with type 2 diabetes. Aust Fam Physician 2008; 37: 774-779.
- 6. Health Service Executive. Guidance document for primary care developments. Dublin: HSE, 2008. http://www.hse.ie/eng/Publications/services/Primary/Guidance_Document_for_Primary_Care_Developments.html (accessed May 2009).
- 7. Moodie AR. Australia: the healthiest country by 2020. Med J Aust 2008; 189: 588-590. <MJA full text>
I have for 20 years been practice principal of Mosman Park Medical Group, a practice with eight GPs, two nurses, allied health staff (podiatrist, dietitian and phlebotomist) and on-site psychological services (a child psychiatrist and two clinical psychologists).