COAG Urged To Focus On Whole Of Health, Australia

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Public Health;  Conferences
Article Date: 19 Dec 2007 - 4:00 PDT

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With the future of health and hospitals firmly on the agenda, tomorrow's COAG meeting presents an opportunity to comprehensively address the significant issues facing health care provision and health care workers in Australia.

Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said, "Nurses have welcomed the Federal and State Labor Government's unified and consultative commitment to a whole of health approach".

With elective surgery waiting lists, aged care, public dental programs, preventative health care and Indigenous health being discussed, the ANF wants to see COAG consider the impact of these issues on health workers, particularly nurses.

Jill Iliffe said that while the issues must be addressed a balanced approach is required to ensure workforce integrity and quality of outcomes.

The ANF is urging COAG to consider: nursing workloads when tackling elective surgery waiting lists; the $20,000 a year wage gap for nurses in aged care; making dental care available through Medicare; the pivotal role of nurses in the primary care sector; and using nurse practitioners in the full scope of their role by providing them with access to the MBS and PBS.

Jill Iliffe said "As the largest contributor to the health care of Australians, nurses can make a significant contribution to the development and implementation of health policy in these areas".

The ANF wants to see COAG engage with Indigenous health professionals and community leaders when focusing on health equality for Indigenous people. Additional scholarships for Indigenous people to undertake nursing courses and extra resources for Indigenous maternal and child services have also been sought.

"COAG's decisions are critical for the delivery of an equitable, efficient, quality health care system for all Australians".

The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.

Australian Nursing Federation