Get the right financing and structure

First, you need to sit down with an accountant to figure out your legal business structure. Are you a sole trader? A partnership? A trust? This can factor into how you get finance and grow your business over time. Health and dental businesses usually have easier times securing finance, but that doesn’t mean you should be conservative with your capital requirement estimates. Ensure you have enough to purchase necessary equipment, consumables, and working capital to get your business going until it can sustain itself.

Be technology savvy

The days of limiting ourselves to a certain area are long gone. Investing in telehealth means you not only serve your local community but patients all over Australia. Using care management software can enhance productivity and improve patient outcomes, as well as facilitate bookings. Automated software can help prevent errors in managing certificates of insurance and AHPRA registrations, potentially saving your practice from costly mistakes.

Having the right business insurance policies

It is important for every health business to have insurance policies that cover public liability, professional indemnity (malpractice), and compulsory worker’s compensation insurance. When growing your allied practice and offering additional services like NDIS-approved services, it’s crucial to prioritise risk management. Protecting your business assets with business insurance can mitigate any property damage, theft, fire damage, and/or blackouts, which can cause spoilage of medicines. You should protect your business with cyber liability insurance in the unfortunate event of a hack or accidental leaks of patient information.

When considering your options for business insurance, it’s important to carefully compare and select the coverage that best suits your needs. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your current policy, finding the right combination of coverage is crucial to protect your practice from any unforeseen circumstances. It may be helpful to consult a business insurance broker who can provide advice on policies that balance costs versus benefits.

Become an indispensable community hub

As a medical practice, promoting a healthy community should be your priority. Consider hosting free seminars or Q&A evenings to explain therapies and health strategies. Providing interpreters for recent migrants or the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community can greatly improve their access to health services. This initiative can position your clinic as a valuable resource for assistance. Building a strong bond with the wider community is crucial. Being an allied health professional who is seen as an ally rather than a necessity can have significant benefits. You might even become the go-to professional for multiple generations within a single family! It all benefits your outreach.

Invest in marketing

In this day and age, if you aren’t online, you aren’t seen. It’s important to have a logo, a website that explains your services and allows for referrals and appointments, and social media accounts. Establishing a credible online presence can be achieved by focusing on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) through writing blogs and producing other content like videos. Another option is to use Pay Per Click advertising to drive traffic to your website. You might consider reaching out to a digital marketing agency to assist – you probably will have too many things to juggle before long!

Admin – the crucial element

Every GP or allied health clinic runs on its admin. A bottleneck in confirming appointments, ordering consumables, reporting to health funds – it can put your practice on the back foot all too quickly. When financing your practice, consider admin staff an necessary performing asset. Don’t make do with part-time or outsourced admin; health care admin is crucial to your success as a practice but as a business with a bottom line to protect.

The post Tips for growing your healthcare practice appeared first on My Health Career.

Currently, health systems around the world are experiencing a digital revolution, which enables authorities to garner more data than ever before. Subsequently, global health data is measured in trillions of gigabytes. Moreover, it doubles in size roughly every 2 years.

As a result, many are struggling to keep up with the change, to the point where they are not managing or utilising the data effectively. That is where you could come in.

Interested to find out more? Then keep on reading.

What is health data science?

The term Big Data refers to datasets that are so big and complex, they are virtually impossible to be analysed or evaluated by traditional methods. Within public health, it incorporates millions of records which are regularly generated by health care services.

They include genomic data, which is produced in clinical and research settings, along with clinical data that is captured in real-time at the point-of-care. Additionally, it also encompasses health-related data which is generated among the wider population due to technologies like wearable devices and various social media platforms.

Overall, big data is seen as holding the answers to some of the most pressing health challenges currently being faced in the world, including ensuring better patient outcomes, reducing costs and making smarter decisions.

It is a field that draws knowledge from several different areas within public health, including computer science and biostatistics.

How is data science shaping healthcare?

Overall, big data analytics is playing a leading role in enhancing health services, systems and patient outcomes.

Doctors and other medical professionals need patient data that is as accurate as possible to help them make a well-informed decision about the best form of healthcare they can provide.

Health data scientists provide this by collating massive volumes of data and making it readily available in a concise fashion for them to use.

Data analysis tools have a major influence on how we diagnose, prevent, treat and eradicate diseases. They can help to identify patterns across different populations, races and genders, as well as predict when epidemics might break out.

They can also measure how effective current levels of healthcare provision are and identify any areas that need to be improved.

By doing this, they can provide communities with better health outcomes by reducing the cost of treatment, preventing diseases and facilitating faster breakthroughs in terms of biomedical research. Primarily, this is because the tools make the data analysis process a lot quicker and smoother, which therefore enables researchers to develop data-driven solutions much more quickly.

For instance, algorithms based around machine learning can predict if a certain medication is likely to bring the human body back to full health, and over what timeframe. This, in turn, would increase the speed and reduce the cost of bringing approved medications to market.

What does a health data scientist do?

As a career, health data science is fairly new, so as it evolves, new roles are being created on a regular basis.

Within both the private and public health sectors, there is a growing demand for professionals with qualifications and experience in health data science to work in the field of medicine in Australia.

The role can cover multiple stages within the data science pipeline. They can include everything from context, data management and machine learning to data analytics, data modelling and communication.

Typically, these roles involve running complex data analyses, leading and designing research evaluations or studies, managing teams of other data analysts, and advising management and other stakeholders on various aspects of healthcare analytics.

What Skills Should a Health Data Scientist Have?

Health data scientists should be proficient in various programming languages including Python and R. Congruently, they might also need to demonstrate technical skills such as deep learning, visualisation, algorithms, artificial intelligence, statistical modelling and cybersecurity.

Importantly, health data scientists should be very good communicators, as they will need to clearly convey what the data means to senior management and stakeholders – particularly with regards to how it can be used to shape data-driven decisions.

Study Options

If you are interested in pursuing a career in data science within the public health sphere, your best starting point would be to undertake data science programs at institutions like UNSW, or other notable universities.

Once you have graduated, you will be able to pursue opportunities in various health-related avenues including local, national or state government health departments, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, research institutes and, of course, hospitals.

The post Data Science in Public Health: A New Frontier for Jobs appeared first on My Health Career.

Pre-budget submission

The AAPi pre-budget submission for the 2022-2023 federal budget focused on 4 items:
1. A one-tier Medicare rebate system for the clients of all registered psychologists in Australia, replacing the current two-tier system
2. Raising the Medicare rebate to $150 per 50 minute session
3. Implementing the Productivity Commission recommendation for up to 40 rebated sessions for clients each year
4. Establishing a provisional psychologist Medicare rebate

Post-budget

Following the handing down of the federal budget, AAPi Executive Director Tegan Carrison said it was unfortunate that the budged only allowed for an additional $648 million in spending for mental health.

Ms Carrison stated that “Some of the positive budget announcements include:

• Funding towards workforce development
• Continuation of item numbers for bushfire victims and the additional funding for mental health care of those impacted by the floods
• Mental health support for vulnerable community members, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, multicultural communities and victims of domestic violence
• Permanent telehealth

“AAPi also welcomes the much-needed investment in suicide prevention, eating disorder treatment and services such as crisis lines, but more is needed to ease the escalation of our mental health crisis and support our existing and future mental health workforce.

“We are happy to see that our calls for more investment and support of provisional psychologists have been noticed – with 75 internships for provisional psychologists announced and support for the safe use of the provisional psychologist workforce to deliver services, and the provision of 150 free Psychology Board of Australia endorsed supervisor training sessions – the question remains as to whether this will lead to more psychologists achieving full registration.

“We have a serious problem in that the measures announced don’t fully address the elephant in the room: a workforce that is smaller than demand, areas of psychology facing extinction, and insufficient rebates for the majority of Australians.

“Too much of this budget is a band-aid solution, and the stakes are too high for that. As a nation, our mental health has been collectively challenged like never before. The frustration of getting help when we really need it is wearing us thin and those providing the help are even more fed up. Our late 2021 Private Practice Survey showed 78% of clients exhibited more distress, anxiety, or depression, with 47% of psychologists unable to take on new clients.

“This Budget did not address AAPi’s key concerns with regards to workforce shortages and chronic underfunding of pivotal services such as Medicare, rural and remote services and school psychologists. Without raising the Medicare rebate to $150 for the clients of all psychologists, access to affordable mental health care remains out of reach for hundreds of thousands of people.

The APS expressed disappointment in the budget, but stated that there were some welcome announcements.

APS President Tamara Cavenett said ““The government is only meeting 35% of their workforce target while one in three psychologists are unable to take on new patients. Before the pandemic, it was 1 in 100.

“Making university funding on par with dentists, GPs, psychiatrists and veterinarians is critical to the future of the psychology in Australia. The government can’t deliver on its promises without the workforce to back it up.

“Despite record demand to see a psychologist and worsening cost of living pressure the budget fails to reduce gap fees for people in crisis and contemplating suicide.
“We needed a budget that lowered gap fees and got psychologists into schools and the regions. Sadly, the opportunity has been missed.

The APS also felt that the following reforms were crucial, and had not been addressed in the budget:

• Funding university places on par with GPs, veterinarians, dentists and psychiatrists
• Committing to the 1:500 psychologist to student ratio at all public, private and independent high schools in line with the government’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Inquiry
• Expanding Medicare coverage and lowering the gap fee for patients
• Providing regional relocation incentives to psychologists on par with GPs, and
• Making the additional 10 per annum Medicare-funded psychology sessions a permanent feature of the Better Access program

Pre-federal election

In the lead up to the federal election, the APS called on all parties to commit to ensuring that Australians in regional, rural and remote areas do not have to fend for themselves instead of being able to access mental health support.

The APS quoted a figure of 20% of psychologists being in regional Australia servicing the 28% of the population who live there.

APS President Tamara Cavenett said “Your postcode should never determine your mental health, yet we continue to see 7 million Australians, in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the country, left to fend for themselves.

With some of the highest rates of alcoholism, depression, self-harm and suicide found in regional, rural and remote Australia, how long will the government stand by and continue to think this is good enough?

“These people put food on our plates, clothes on our backs and power our homes but we can’t help them when they’re at their lowest ebb? This national shame must be brought to light.

The APS stated that the Federal Government was meeting only 35% of its psychology workforce target, the largest shortfall of any mental health workforce and, that unlike GPs, there are no incentives for psychologists to relocate to regional areas.

Ms Cavenett said “GPs save lives each day and deserve the support they get, but we have to address the mental health deserts sweeping across regional Australia during the shadow pandemic.

“In regional, rural and remote Australia many people are lucky to simply get onto a wait list, and even then wait times of more than 12-months are common in some areas.

Also in the lead up to the election, the APS developed a 10-point election manifesto:
1. Invest in a surge workforce to ensure effective disaster readiness and response
2. Perinatal mental health for all Australian parents
3. Get psychologists into schools
4. Support child mental health hubs
5. Introduce a youth mental health safety net
6. Ensure COVID-19 mental health recovery through bulk billing and rural incentives
7. Improve digital mental health services
8. Future-proof the psychology workforce
9. Strengthen the psychology workforce
10. Get graduates to clients faster

Post-federal election

AAPi released an association update following on from the federal election. It stated that the association members had reached all election candidates a number of times with their key advocacy items for a more accessible and fair mental health care system.

Following the federal election, AAPI Executive Director Tegan Carrison stated that “AAPi has built strong relationships over the years with all sides of politics and will continue these conversations with the incoming ministers, advocating for our shared vision for mental health care in Australia.

“With the new Labor government foreshadowing a focus on Medicare, NDIS and aged care, there has never been a more important time for AAPi to take the lead in advocating for an equitable and diverse psychology profession.”

The APS urged the Albanese government to commit to addressing mental health challenges faced by Australians, and congratulated Ministers Butler and Clare on their appointments (Health and Aged Care, and Education, respectively).

APS President Tamara Cavenett said ““During a time of uncertainty and national crises our mental health system is on the brink. Psychologists on the frontline are telling us the anxiety that people are feeling about climate change and natural disasters is palpable right across the country.

“We are committed to working with the incoming government to create a more sustainable sector that values patients and psychologists alike.

“By increasing university funding we can begin to address the problems facing the community.”

In June, the APS welcomed the federal government’s announcement to an overhaul of the national school chaplaincy program, stating that they saw it as an opportunity to implement the ratio of 1 psychologist to every 500 students.

With the news that schools would be able to choose between hiring a religious or secular pastoral care worker, APS President Tamara Cavenett said “Investment of government funds into placement of qualified mental health experts such as psychologists into schools just makes sense.

“The APS has raised significant concerns over many years about the national school chaplaincy program. We’ve repeatedly stated that while we are not opposed to the presence of chaplains in schools for pastoral care, the investment of scarce government-funded resources should be redirected to professional qualified experts, such as psychologists.

“This is a step in the right direction for evidence-based pastoral and mental health care for Australian school students. It is common sense, and it is entirely appropriate.

“Young Aussies have experienced turmoil, uncertainty, and major disruption to their schooling and major childhood milestones over the past two years. Never has it been more important to ensure they are receiving mental health care from qualified experts.

“Fifty per cent of lifelong mental health issues start before the age of 14 years, so school is the appropriate setting to catch early signs and provide early intervention.
“For many years we have been urging the Federal Government to develop a national benchmark for school-based psychologist to student ratios.

“Evidence shows by aiming for a benchmark of 1 psychologist to every 500 students would benefit the whole school community an provide vital support to teachers, principals and families.

“Psychologists employed in schools work at a whole-of-school level on programs to support children’s’ mental health, development and learning. The benefits of access to a psychologist at the right time, can be seen for years to come. It simply makes good economic sense to look after the mental health of our children.

“Psychologists can assess children for mental health issues, learning difficulties, intellectual disability, and can work with teachers and families to support children with behavioural issues and learning difficulties” said Ms Cavenett.

The post Psychology 2022: The Profession’s Priorities in an Election Year appeared first on My Health Career.

Pre-budget submission

The APA’s 2022 pre-budget submission incorporated four solutions, which it said would strengthen care for all Australians:

1. Improve the patient pathway by addressing structural barriers to reform.

The APA called for a change to the Medicare Benefits Schedule requirement for a GP referral to allow physiotherapists to refer patients directly to the most suitable medical practitioner. They also called for the lifting of barriers to allow physiotherapists to refer patients for musculoskeletal images.

2. Reform primary health care through new public funded physiotherapy treatment pathways.

The APA called for expansion of the chronic disease and pain-related MBS items encompassing physiotherapy, for a funded pilot to strengthen access to diagnosis, treatment and care of musculoskeletal pain and conditions in primary care, and for investment in public funded physiotherapy to increase the coverage of preventative health services in Australia. They also called for a leading role for physiotherapists in Long COVID care, rehabilitation for cancer care, as well as for pre-and post-natal physiotherapy.

3. Shift priorities to ensure those most in need are not waiting for care.

The APA called for funding and/or better access to physiotherapy services in aged care, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Department of Veterans’ Affairs card holders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, rural services, and patients with mental health conditions.

4. Implement health care reform by acting on the many plans already in place.

Following the USA model, the APA called for the establishment of a health ‘czar’ to coordinate the implementation and evaluation of agreed on recommendations and actions from Inquiries, Commissions and Strategies, as a means of ensuring ensure whole-of-government responses.

Post-budget

After the federal budget was handed down, the APA expressed disappointment that it did not provide investment in public funded physiotherapy.

“The APA’s pre-Budget submission provided the Morrison Government with evidence-based initiatives that would improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and enhance health care. We are disappointed the Government chose to ignore our submission,” APA National President Scott Willis said.

“The Budget has failed to set the fair foundations we needed for health equity and access.

APA National President Scott Willis said “it was an opportunity to lay the groundwork for the systemic reform needed to reorientate the health system towards primary care encompassing physiotherapy.

“Instead, the Morrison Government has abandoned health for their own political survival — at this critical time in health care reform we see implementation measures against the Primary Care 10 Year Plan that sets aside just $3.9 million to improve access to allied health services.

“This Budget again overlooks the value and impact that allied health professionals have on communities. Significant investment was needed to strengthen care and reduce disparities and this Budget in no way achieves reform which requires sustained investment towards integrated team-based care.

“The APA provided our most detailed and expansive ever pre-Budget submission, offering solutions and options that we know offer substantial improvements to patient care and improved referral pathways. None of these were adopted.

“We called on the Government to initiate fundamental reform to provide a way forward to overcome the barriers to integrated multidisciplinary team-based care.

“There are many welcome measures in the Budget, however, the Primary Care and Rural Health measures ignore the vital role of physiotherapy in health care. Millions of Australians rely on physiotherapists for diagnosis, treatment and services.

“The Government hasn’t properly delivered on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Standards, and while we welcome some initiatives, we are disappointed with the lack of aged care measures announced in the Budget.

“Reform isn’t just about pumping money into the health system — it’s about redesigning it so that people can have unencumbered access to the care they need.

“Patients are not funded to access physiotherapy services beyond current and very limited MBS chronic disease items. Physiotherapy provides a path to better health and wellbeing but for too many Australians access is denied or inadequately funded” said Mr Willis.

Pre-federal election

Physiotherapy in aged care was an area of focus for the APA in the lead up to the federal election. This was following on from what the APA deemed to be a failure of the Morrison Government to se the fair foundations required for health equity and access in the 2022-2023 Federal Budget. The APA noted the intention in then Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s budget reply speech to put security, dignity, quality and humanity back into aged care.

“The position and priorities offered by Labor, in unveiling a package of major aged care reforms, as the centrepiece of his pre-election Budget reply, and commitment to the NDIS and strengthening Medicare, sets us back on a reform pathway that would make a real difference for so many Australians unable to access the care they need.” APA National President Scott Willis said.

“Health inequity is a longstanding challenge, and one that certainly didn’t arrive with the pandemic. A worsening of inequality is now evident and this is deeply embedded in our structural and health system failures.

“We need to move beyond traditional structures and conventional primary care towards more integrated care models that include allied health services such as physiotherapy.

“Real primary care reform and a properly funded public health system would see a significant expansion of Medicare.

“Real reform would allow for stronger investment in publicly funded physiotherapy to allow access to physiotherapy as first contact practitioners.

“Our health system fails to facilitate this essential care and patients are not funded to access physiotherapy services beyond current and very limited MBS chronic disease items,” Mr Willis said.

“Labor’s commitment to mandate that every Australian living in aged care receives a minimum of 215 minutes of care per day, as recommended by the Royal Commission, is welcomed. However, we await the detail to see the role of physiotherapy and allied health in this care.

“The APA also welcomes Labor’s commitments on integrity and accountability, and new funding, to better support the aged care sector.

“Neither the LNP or Labor used their Budget speeches to address easy reform fixes that would significantly improve the patient journey and provide savings to the health system.

“A key shift would be to allow physiotherapists to directly refer to the most suitable medical practitioner and to request imaging for musculoskeletal conditions.

“Similarly, in enabling more multidisciplinary team-based care, there is a need for stronger measures to deliver structural transformations by funding the full team.

“But nationally we still await fundamental reform to provide a way forward to overcome the barriers to integrated multidisciplinary team-based care.

“Labor has provided a solid start towards advancing health equity in outlining a plan that would set some solid foundations for the future and we look forward to seeing the detail in the coming weeks,” he said.

In the days prior to the federal election, the APA expressed the concern that a long-term vision for health was nowhere to be found in the election campaign.

“With the first federal election since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an expectation that commitment to funding healthcare reform would be a stronger focus from all parties,” Mr Willis said.

“The APA welcomed the commitments made by Labor, Coalition and Greens, especially to include mental and dental in Medicare, the commitment to fund greater access to allied health and multidisciplinary care in primary care, and to implement the 10-Year Primary Care Plan.

“Where is the long-term vision for health and clear commitment to fund and implement the reform plans developed during the last term of government?”

“We believe in a policy vision that values and recognises the whole health workforce; a vision that values the full benefits of physiotherapy for better health outcomes for patients and a more cost-effective health system.

“For the 1 in 3 Australians experiencing musculoskeletal pain and conditions, the 1 in 2 Australians that will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, and the 1 in 3 older Australians living at home who fall each year funded access to physiotherapy could be life changing, not to mention saving up to $9.2 billion in direct health costs and reduced productivity.

“As physiotherapists, we have the solutions to strengthen the patient journey and deliver great health outcomes for all. We are looking forward to working with the incoming government to ensure everyone has greater access to the health care they need, when they need it,” Mr Willis said.

Post-federal election

In the two months following on from the federal election, the APA called for:

• timely and ongoing access to appropriately funded physiotherapy for Australians living with dementia
• better access to preventative and restorative health care services including physiotherapy for those in aged care
• preventative health reform to address growing rates of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and dementia

By late July, the APA was urging the Albanese government to prioritise allied health care involving the inclusion of physiotherapy for aged care residents with chronic pain.

APA National President Scott Willis said “it is critical for aged care residents to receive pain management therapy as an effective alternative to medication use.

“The vast majority of older people living in residential aged care live with debilitating pain and rely on expert healthcare such as physiotherapy to maintain their quality of life.

“For example, many older Australians live with crippling arthritis that affects their ability to participate in everyday activities and enjoy life. Aged care residents living with dementia depend on their physiotherapists to identify and treat the causes of pain,” Mr Willis said.

“It is critical to maintain access to high-quality care such as physiotherapy that improves sleep and function and reduces the number of falls in older people living with chronic pain.”

The post Physiotherapy 2022: The Profession’s Priorities in an Election Year appeared first on My Health Career.

Pre-budget submissions

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

In its 2022-2023 pre-budget submission, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) advocated for 4 key measures:

• Embedding pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities to improve medication management, reduce medicine-related harm, and improve quality of life for residents
• The introduction of a Medicare Benefits Schedule service payment to pharmacists for administering National Immunisation Program vaccinations including COVID-19 vaccinations
• Supporting a GP-Pharmacist Collaborative Prescribing Pilot to address workforce shortages in regional, rural and remote General Practice
• Introduce a Medicare Benefits Schedule rebate for pharmacists to be remunerated for multi-disciplinary case conferences.

Immediate Past PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said that embedded pharmacists in Australia’s aged care workforce is well overdue.

“Ahead of next month’s Federal Budget, PSA has outlined to the Federal Government four key asks aimed at improving access to medicines and health care for Australians, particularly for residents in aged care facilities.

“As medication experts and the custodians of medicine safety, pharmacists must play an even greater role in the nation’s healthcare system by supporting aged care providers.

“PSA has been calling on the Government to provide funding for embedded pharmacists in residential aged care facilities for quite some time, to improve medication management, reduce medication-related harm, and to improve quality of life for their vulnerable residents.

“This will ensure that aged care facilities can consistently deliver a patient-centred, multidisciplinary service aimed at identifying, resolving and preventing medication-related problems such as polypharmacy and chemical restraint.

“It is crucial that service providers are allowed the flexibility to determine how they secure pharmacist services. Some facilities may choose to contract pharmacists through community pharmacies, some may choose to employ a pharmacist directly, or via a third party. It can’t be a one size fits all approach, as every facility is different.

“Every day that a pharmacist is not working alongside aged care staff in caring for older Australians, is a day residents are in danger from medication harm.

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) had 7 priorities in its 2022-2023 federal pre-budget submission:

1. Develop a more sustainable and resilient hospital pharmacy workforce.
2. Provide funding for regional and rural health services to implement Virtual Clinical Pharmacy Services (VCPS).
3. Tackle the pressures of ambulance ramping and time burdens on elective surgery wait-lists by funding Pre-Admission Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC) services to perform medication reconciliation and charting for emergency departments and admitting medical or surgical teams.
4. Hospital pharmacist-embedded stewardship programs for antimicrobials, anticoagulants, analgesics and antipsychotic treatments as endorsed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) for antimicrobial stewardship under the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
5. Enable Hospital Pharmacists to supply medicines to Indigenous Australians under Closing the Gap PBS Co-Payment system.
6. Embed geriatric medicine pharmacists into residential aged care facilities at 1:200 ratio.
7. Establish an Improving Sustainability in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Industries Strategy which sets best practice and aims for hospitals, community pharmacies and industry.

SHPA Chief Executive Kristin Michaels said a strong and sustainable workforce of pharmacists and technicians was crucial to maximising benefits to the health of Australians as well as investment in healthcare.

‘As custodians of 23 per cent of PBS expenditure, Hospital Pharmacists are essential to ensuring the safe and optimal use of the scheme, which supports patient access to lifesaving medicines.

‘Pharmacy is a relatively young workforce and recent data warns of declining student interest and the closure of some pharmacy schools. SHPA recommends prioritising an updated Pharmacy Workforce Planning study – it is now 14 years since the last iteration – to inform national strategies on growing and sustaining an experienced workforce.

‘Experience is key, as embedding expert hospital pharmacist-led stewardship programs around key medicines, such as antimicrobials, anticoagulants, analgesics and antipsychotic treatments, is an important step to achieving cost-savings for the healthcare system, reductions in medicines usage and resistance and overall better health outcomes.’

Ms Michaels said focus on equity of care in rural and remote communities and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were also top priorities in 2022.

‘Often spurred by necessity during COVID-19 lockdowns, we’ve seen evidence of successful telehealth models in rural and remote outpatient settings and SHPA recommends national funding of virtual clinical pharmacists in rural and remote areas to reduce medication-related harms and costs, improve patient outcomes and reduce burdens on rural and remote healthcare services.

‘And while a key Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Co-payment Measure is designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians access low cost or free PBS medications, it currently excludes medications dispensed at discharge from public hospitals. This must change, through all hospitals in Australia, to improve equity of access of medications for Indigenous Australians as they return home.’

Ms Michaels said that Australia enters the third year of COVID-19, it was equally important to retain focus on the unfolding climate emergency in the wake of COP26.

‘A new Improving Sustainability in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Industries Strategy is needed to improve the sustainability of our sector and mitigate and reduce the known environmental impacts from the pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry.

‘By defining best practice and aims for hospitals, community pharmacies and industry we can work together to reduce pharmaceutical wastage and environmental damage, which is rightly expected from the Australian community as the impacts of the climate emergency become more readily apparent and clearly forecast.’

Budget opinion

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

In March 2022. the PSA welcomed the Government’s commitment to provide funding of $345.7 million to embed pharmacists in residential aged care facilities.
A/Prof Chris Freeman, PSA National President at the time the 2022-2023 federal budget was handed down, said that the announcement had been long-awaited.

“This is a win for those residents who will now have greater access to medicines experts, our pharmacists, and I have no doubt that this sentiment will be shared by the aged care sector.

“PSA has been advocating for funding to improve medicine safety in residential aged care facilities since 2018, following the establishment of the Royal Commission into Aged Care – and now, almost four years later, the Government has taken action.

“The Royal Commission into Aged Care detailed well-known issues like the overuse of psychotropic medicines, and since then, troubling data on medication misadventure has continued to emerge.

“Since the Royal Commission was established, PSA has been working closely with all governments to implement recommendations outlined in our Medicine safety: aged care report from 2020, and it is incredibly pleasing to see that our advice has been heeded.

“With more than 19,000 Australians in residential aged care prescribed antipsychotics with no indication, the level of chemical restraint must be addressed. We also know that the more medicines someone is prescribed, the more likely it is to cause harm.

“The evidence is clear – pharmacists need to be an embedded part of the aged care equation if medication misadventure is to be minimised and rectified.

“As the custodians and experts of medication safety, embedding pharmacists in aged care is the obvious solution to address the longstanding issues of polypharmacy and chemical restraint in aged care facilities. We are delighted that the Government will now invest in our pharmacist workforce to improve the quality of care for aged care residents.

“Over the next four years, this $345.7 million contribution to supporting pharmacists embedded in aged care will make a significant difference to protecting and improving the quality of life for our aged care residents. Consultation on the most suitable model will occur over the next six months.

“It is crucial that aged care service providers are allowed the flexibility to determine how they secure pharmacist services. Some facilities may choose to contract pharmacists through community pharmacies, some may choose to employ a pharmacist directly, or via a third party.

“It can’t be a one size fits all approach as every facility is different. Therefore, all of these options must be accommodated.

“We look forward to working with the Minister and the Department of Health on the implementation.” A/Prof Freeman said.

However, PSA also expressed disappointment at the government’s failure to support case conferencing and vaccinations as advocated for in the pre-budget submission.

“As it stands, pharmacists are the only health provider that the Government does not remunerate for their time and participation in case conferencing. In addition to this, pharmacists are being remunerated at a significantly lower rate than other providers for providing exactly the same vaccination services, including vaccinations against COVID-19.

“Introducing an MBS service payment to pharmacists for administering National Immunisation Program vaccines, and a separate MBS rebate for pharmacists to be remunerated for multidisciplinary case conferences, would increase consumer access to pharmacist expertise and skills.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to funding pharmacist roles in aged care, and this initiative will present new and exciting career opportunities for Australian pharmacists. However, if these pay disparities continue to exist, it will have dire consequences on Australian healthcare, jeopardising the future of the pharmacist workforce.

“In a budget aimed at tackling the cost of living, PSA agrees with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia that reducing PBS Safety Net thresholds does not adequately address the rising cost of prescription medicines,” A/Prof Freeman said.

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

The SHPA welcomed the federal government’s budget which centred on easing cost of living pressures, but warned that the announced expenditure in hospitals and pandemic preparedness will have limited impact without developing Australia’s current and future workforce of Hospital Pharmacists.

SHPA Chief Executive Kristin Michaels said ‘Managing almost a quarter of PBS expenditure, Hospital Pharmacists are crucial to its sustainability and will play a key role as $2.4b was committed over five years for new PBS medicines, subsidising access to highly specialised and complex medicines initiated and supplied in the hospital setting, including medicines to treat breast cancer, advanced colorectal cancer, cystic fibrosis and COVID-19.

‘As we work to minimise COVID-19 hospitalisations, SHPA welcomes $6m to extend COVID Community Care Pathways to support effective coordination of care in the community, where Hospital Pharmacists are intimately involved in Hospital in The Home care models to care for patients and keep them out of hospital.

‘Hospital Pharmacists also welcome the advance purchases of vital medicines to treat COVID-19 for the National Medical Stockpile, the majority of which are administered in hospitals by Hospital Pharmacists.’

Ms Michaels says almost $1b to extend the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response, coupled with multifaceted spending on hospitals and aged care, underscores the importance of developing a National Pharmacy Workforce Plan, a key election priority for the Hospital Pharmacy sector, who are experiencing recruitment challenges all across Australian hospitals, both in metropolitan and regional areas.

‘Whilst the investment into the medical workforce in Budget 2022-23 is great news for our medical colleagues, at the same time, we must look ahead and fund the training and development of expert pharmacists, and plan the Hospital Pharmacy roles Australia needs, to safely and fully realise the benefit of these investments.

Ms Michaels says Hospital Pharmacists stand ready at the frontline of Australia’s pandemic preparedness, welcoming the Federal Government’s partnership with the Victorian Government to support Moderna’s new mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility.

‘SHPA’s leading work on medicines shortages the last few years has demonstrated the risks that come with limited sovereign capability to produce and manufacture medicines on our own shores, and the establishment of this new facility is to be commended.

‘Having supported the establishment of over 500 vaccine clinics in major hospitals from Phase 1a in early 2021, our Hospital Pharmacy workforce has the expertise and experience to drive future rollouts, if and when they are required to keep Australians safe.’

Pre-federal election

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Professor Trent Twomey, said the Guild looked forward to working closely and constructively with Senator Anne Ruston who would be the Federal Minister for Health if the Coalition was re-elected.

“A priority is to ensure a commitment is made that the current model of community pharmacy, including the location rules which ensure accessibility to pharmacies for patient across the country, is maintained,” Professor Twomey said.

“The current model works, and works well.

“The past two years have been particularly challenging for the community pharmacy sector but the way pharmacies have risen to these challenges has underscored their just how critical role their role is in the healthcare sector.

“Senator Ruston would bring to the position of Heath Minister a range of skills and experience which will help further build on the strengths of community pharmacy.
“One area we will focus on is ensuring community pharmacists can work to their full scope of practice so their skills and training are fully utilised.

“Significant shortages of primary healthcare practitioners are putting huge pressure on doctors and emergency departments.

“Having community pharmacists prescribe, dispense, administer and review medicines is not only common sense, but good health policy that helps to improve patient outcomes.”

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

Following the Labor campaign launch, The Society of Hospital Pharmacists Australia (SHPA) welcomed the Federal Labor Party’s announcement pledging to reduce the general patient Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment from $42.50 to $30 from 1 January 2023, and their bipartisan support to improve medicines affordability and access for Australians, guaranteeing Australians more affordable medicines from 2023.

SHPA Chief Executive Kristin Michaels says this equates to a saving of $150 per year for Australians taking a PBS medicine regularly, $30 more than what was pledged by the Coalition government over the weekend.

‘With the rising costs of living we know many Australians, particularly our most vulnerable patients – those belonging to lower socioeconomic groups, and those who suffer from multiple chronic conditions – are increasingly struggling to afford medicines.

Hospital Pharmacists are responsible for 24% of all PBS expenditure, supplying just under five million PBS prescriptions annually to patients, and these significant figures continue to grow year on year.

‘Hospital Pharmacists and their healthcare colleagues, who are keenly aware of the barriers patients face when attempting to receive timely and quality access to life-saving medicines, welcome this bipartisan support for guaranteeing significant savings for PBS medicines.’

Ms Michaels says Hospital Pharmacists often see patients presenting to emergency departments or being re-admitted to hospital, because they were unable to access their required medicines or suffered a decline in their health due to not being able to afford medicines.

‘Hospital Pharmacists provide care to the most unwell and complex patients in our healthcare system, many of whom find themselves discharged with a long list of medicines, and who privately admit they will struggle to meet the cost of their discharge medicines.’

‘We welcome the bipartisan support to further reduce co-payment amounts for PBS medicines and improved medicines affordability for patients, many of whom are still required to pay well above standard co-payment amounts for non-PBS medicines. This will inevitably reduce preventable admissions and keep more Australians out of the hospital system.’

‘On behalf of our members, we call for further action to address medicines access and affordability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who currently face higher PBS co-payments in hospital settings.

This is central to SHPA’s Federal Election 2022 policy priorities, and we look forward to working on this issue with all parliamentarians.’

Post-federal election

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomed the announcement of the Hon. Mark Butler MP as Minister for Health and Aged Care, and Emma McBride MP MPS as Assistant Minister for Regional and Rural Health under the Albanese Labor Government.

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said he was looking forward to working with the new Federal Government to ensure pharmacists’ voices are being heard.

“We look forward to continuing our productive relationship with the Australian Labor Party, in particular with incoming Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP,” he said.

“I would also like to congratulate fellow pharmacist and PSA member, Emma McBride MP MPS on her appointment as Assistant Minister for Regional and Rural Health.

“As one of Australia’s key frontline health professionals, pharmacists share the drive to deliver world-class healthcare to all Australians.

“PSA is ready to work with the Minister to progress the funding of onsite aged care pharmacists and ensuring all Australians have access to fully funded National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines, including influenza vaccinations.

“Patients still face out of pocket costs to receive an influenza vaccination under the NIP if delivered by a pharmacist, whilst this same service is subsidised if done at a general practice.

“It must also be a priority for the incoming Minister for Health and Aged Care to ensure that there is a consistent approach to the NIP vaccines and that all Australians can access fully funded vaccinations from their local pharmacist.”

A/Prof Freeman pointed to retention of pharmacists as the major challenges facing the sector.

“There are consistent challenges in recruiting and retaining pharmacists across all sectors, with many choosing to leave pharmacy because of low base rates of pay,” he said.

“We need investment in a whole of profession workforce strategy so that we can sustainably meet all the exciting opportunities in front of the profession, while provide rewarding careers, both professionally and financially.

“PSA has a long history of working with governments at all levels to achieve better outcomes for Australian pharmacists and their communities, and we look forward to continuing that work with the incoming ALP Health team,” said A/Prof Freeman.

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

SHPA President Peter Fowler welcomed the commitments the Australian Labor Party had made to hospitals, Medicare, aged care, medicines access and affordability.

‘SHPA congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the ALP, who are set to form government. We look forward to working constructively with the incoming Health ministry team to ensure Australians have more equitable access to vital, lifesaving medicines through the world-class Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) regardless of where they receive their hospital care.

‘We applaud the planned new Strengthening Medicare Fund, which seeks to improve access to GPs, including after-hours services. Hospital Pharmacists are acutely aware of the impact of medicines affordability, as the only bill Australians receive from public hospitals is for their PBS medicines. We welcome the ALP’s commitment to reduce PBS co-payments, as well as investing in and listing PBS medicines as a top priority, further strengthening this strong Labor initiative.

Mr Fowler said that medicine management remains an ongoing challenge, with the transition of care from the acute setting to primary care presenting a particular challenge for health policy.

‘With the implementation of My Health Record and associated electronic medical records, hospital pharmacists are well placed to lead changes that will reduce harmful and potentially fatal medication errors and support better patient outcomes.

‘This election has shown the importance of stability in crucial sectors such as hospitals and healthcare, and SHPA is keen to see that reflected in funding across pharmacy settings. In Prime Minister Albanese’s first term, several reviews into medicines will be finalised, including the National Medicines Policy, chemotherapy medicines and PBS medicines in hospitals.

‘It is therefore more important than ever for Hospital Pharmacists – who manage a quarter of the entire PBS expenditure and the majority of chemotherapy expenditure – to be engaged to help remove the barriers currently in place that contribute to Australians missing out on vital medicines.’

Mr Fowler welcomed Mr Albanese’s commitment to fifty new Medicare urgent care clinics, which will be delivered next financial year would help take pressure off emergency departments.

‘Hospital Pharmacists have been integral to the COVID-19 pandemic response, operating the state-run vaccination clinics which have delivered over 35% of doses to Australians. In this time, Hospital Pharmacists have also dealt with increased strain on public hospitals with overcrowded emergency departments and ambulance ramping, and a reduced healthcare workforce in which Hospital Pharmacists are being asked to do more with the same resources.

‘Hospital Pharmacists, along with our healthcare colleagues, call on the new government to further address these pressures, by commissioning a 10-year National Pharmacy Workforce Plan, one of SHPA’s election priorities, and increase Commonwealth hospital funding contribution to 50%, as requested by all State and Territory Health Ministers.

‘SHPA looks forward to a strong relationship with the Albanese Government, and ensuring the many campaign commitments have the maximum positive impact on our healthcare workers, hospital infrastructure and the health and wellbeing of Australians.’

The post Pharmacy 2022: The Profession’s Priorities in an Election Year appeared first on My Health Career.

Pre-budget submission

Optometry Australia’s 2022-2023 Pre-Budget submission was centred on 5 measures. These were:

• A focused eye health awareness campaign – $500K over 2 years
• Building health professional awareness of eye health, focused on chronic health conditions – $500K over 2 years
• Intravitreal injection collaborative care pilot in regional Australia – $500K over 2 years
• Increasing the optometric domiciliary loading benefit for Residential Aged Care Facility visits – $500K per annum
• Increasing funding for the Visiting Optometrists Scheme to improve access to eye care for First Nations peoples – $18.1 million over 5 years

Optometry Australia’s President Murray Smith said that many Australians being unable to access timely eye care and an ageing population was putting pressure on an already over-stretched tertiary eye care system.

‘A key part of the solution to ensure Australians have timely, affordable access to safe eye care is to make the best possible use of our highly skilled optometric workforce.

‘We can do this by ensuring Australians, and particularly those with chronic conditions like diabetes, are encouraged to access regular eye examinations so eye disease, often asymptomatic in its early days, can be detected early and managed effectively.

‘We also need to ensure that the skills of our optometrists are being used for the best benefit of the community. In Australia for instance, optometrists are unable to prescribe oral medications despite their counterparts in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and elsewhere doing so safely for many years,’ Mr Smith said.

He added that in other countries optometrists are also used to support treatment for vision threatening diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease which require ongoing monitoring and treatment.

‘Conversely in many parts of Australia patients face significant issues accessing this type of ongoing care when more effective use of our skilled optometrists could help address this situation.

‘Achieving this will require supportive funding and regulatory change,’ said Mr Smith.

Pre-federal election

In the lead up to the federal election, Optometry Australia again raised the issue around domiciliary visits by optometrists.

According to Optometry Australia, for a cost of $0.93 per person annually, there would be a significant improvement to access to eye care in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

Optometry Australia President, Mr Murray Smith said, ‘This small investment – adding up to only $500,000 per annum – would encourage many more optometrists to provide safe domiciliary eye care services to vulnerable elderly and immobile Australians.

‘To achieve this requires a shift in MBS policy as the current rebate of $24.20 per domiciliary visit is grossly inadequate, leaving many optometrists out of pocket. The true cost requires an increase to $85 per visit’.

Mr Smith, said: ‘We want individuals and governments alike to recognise that your eye health is not a lost cause once you turn 65. While older people are more likely to develop a chronic vision disorder, early diagnosis and treatment can stop or slow the progression of many conditions.’

Post-federal election

Following the May 2022 federal election, Optometry Australia stated its intention to appeal to the new Labor Government to escalate eye health reform as part of its overarching health agenda, pointing out Labor’s pre-election campaign commitment to implementing primary care reforms costing close to $1 billion over 4 years.

In June 2022, Optometry Australia indicated that they intended to discuss fairer Medicare indexation with the Hon Mark Butler, Federal Minister for Health. They identified that an indexation increase of 1.6% for optometry item numbers in the Medicare Benefits Schedule lagged significantly behind the Consumer Price Index which rose 5.1% in the past 12 months (ABS April 2022).

CEO, Lyn Brodie, said that Optometry Australia fought hard to have optometry included in the MBS schedule in 1975 but since 1997 adjustments to the Optometric Medicare Benefits Schedule have continued to significantly lag CPI.

‘A freeze in indexation for optometry between 2013 and 2019, plus a 5% cut to MBS rebates introduced by the government in 2015, has resulted in Medicare rebates in real terms in 2022 being a decade behind where they should be today.’

Ms Brodie said that the gap between what optometrists can claim in Medicare rebates for patient consultations and the real cost of providing this service, has been widening for the past 35 years, but the real damage has been done in the past 10 years.

‘Optometrists will have no choice but to charge patients more and more out-of-pocket costs. There are already too many Australians who are unable to access the timely care they need and we believe lagging Medicare indexation will contribute to a national eye health crisis.

‘Any increase in fees a patient is asked to pay can result in them delaying, or ignoring, the need for regular eye examinations and this will put the eye health of many at risk.

‘With half of Australia’s population already suffering long-term eye conditions, Optometry Australia is doing everything in our power to seek the government’s commitment to reverse, not contribute to, this alarming statistic.’

The post Optometry 2022: The Profession’s Priorities in an Election Year appeared first on My Health Career.

Pre-budget submission

The Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) 2022-2023 Pre-Budget submission was focused on education and develop opportunities for nurses. It featured in 3 recommendations around workforce planning, the disability sector and aged care.
“There are over 400,000 nurses, making us the largest health workforce nationally and we deliver care across all health sectors, in primary care, mental health, aged care, community care and in hospitals,” ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said.

“Despite being leaders in providing expert care to our most vulnerable, I constantly hear stories from my nursing colleagues across Australia sharing the limited access they have to education and development after graduation. Continued long-term investment supporting more members of our profession reach advanced levels of practice will ensure we can effectively address the complex and evolving needs of health consumers both now and into the future.

“In our pre-budget submission, ACN is seeking funding to create 150 scholarship places for nurses aged under 35 to participate in the Leading Excellence Through Advanced Practice Scholarship Program. Participants will explore innovative and transformative leadership concepts based on our White Paper: ‘A New Horizon for Health Service: Optimising Advanced Practice Nursing’ which was launched with bipartisan political support in the halls of Federal Parliament in 2019.

“ACN is also asking for the investment in providing 5,000 scholarship places for nurses in aged care to obtain a graduate certificate as well as establishing two units of study for nurses who want to work in the disability sector. These three initiatives will result in Australia’s most vulnerable and underserviced populations receiving the benefits of expert care from a highly qualified nurse.

“We have put the people we care for above our own professional and personal needs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing the community deserves the highest levels of care and emotional support. It is time all politicians and political parties recognise the vital need to continue to invest in nurses, because when we invest in nurses, we invest in healthy communities and healthy citizens.

Post-budget opinion

The Australian College of Nursing welcomed funding for developing and enhancing nurse leadership skills in the federal budget.

The budget contained a $1 million matching co-contribution to ACN for the establishment of 21 scholarships focusing on supporting nurses seeking to further their professional development in leadership.

“I welcome the Government’s recognition that an investment in nurse leadership is an investment in shaping the health of all Australians,” ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said.

“Recipients will be known as the Bullwinkel Scholars in honour of the bravery and courage shown by the 21 Australian nurses who lost their lives in the Bangka Island Massacre 80 years ago. The funding will ensure their legacy lives on not only in the next generation of nurse leaders, but also in the collective memory of our nation.

“As a nurse myself, I understand the challenges my colleagues face when it comes to finding the time and money to invest in education. These scholarships will be pivotal in providing nurses with the financial support and time to upskill their leadership capabilities to ensure our profession continues to lead the way in providing expert care to those who need it most.”

Adjunct Professor Ward also outlined ACN’s support for a number of other measures in the budget including those targeted at education and women.

“I acknowledge the Government’s recognition of the success of the Aged Care Transition to Practice program, of which ACN is one of the main providers, in the Budget,” she said.

We are also looking forward to seeing the rollout of the proposed investment into the training of Registered Nurses in residential aged care facilities to become Authorised Nurse Immunisers and welcome the additional funding for the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme which ACN has proudly administered for the last 20 years.”

“As a predominately female profession, we support the strong focus on eliminating gender-based violence and funding of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. ACN and I will continue to strongly advocate to eradicate all forms of violence through the work of our Nurses and Violence Taskforce.”

However, Adjunct Professor Ward pointed toward the failure of the Government to invest in advanced practice nurses as a key failing of the Budget.

“I am disappointed to once again see advanced practice nurses neglected from the decision-making table,” she said.

“As ACN outlined in our pre-budget submission, this group of highly educated professionals are crucial to addressing the complex health needs of our most underserviced populations, including those living in rural and remote areas. However, the refusal of Governments to increase their numbers and scope of practice sadly means many barriers to equitable health care remain in place.”
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) expressed disappointment following the federal budget, stating that “despite modest funding for some preventative health initiatives and increased paid parental leave (PPL) provisions, the Budget has failed to deliver much-needed and genuine long-term reforms in health and private aged care.”

ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said “the Government cannot ignore the plight of nursing home residents, nurses and care workers, by failing to implement the Royal Commission’s key recommendations – safe minimum staffing levels, increased wages for aged care workers and genuine accountability for taxpayers’ money.

“We ask Mr Morrison, how many preventable deaths do there need to be and how many dedicated nurses or aged care workers need to be driven from their jobs before he finally fixes chronic staffing shortages, causing so much pain and suffering in the country’s nursing homes?”

Pre-federal election

In the lead up to the May 2022 federal election, The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said that Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s pledge to mandate staffing ratios by introducing, in law, minimum care hours requirements for nursing homes and to fund real wage increases for all aged care workers, could finally bring hope to exhausted nurses and care workers in the troubled aged care sector.

In March 2022. A delegation of 10 ANMF aged care members watching-on in Federal Parliament as Mr Albanese announced that, if elected, the ALP would implement the critical recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, including mandated standards for nutrition in nursing homes.

According to the ANMF, measures the Opposition said it would implement if elected included:

• 24 hour registered nurse care in every nursing home
• A mandated minimum 215 minutes of care per resident per day
• Funding real wage increases for aged care workers
• Ensuring accountability across the sector

“After years of inaction, we may finally have a plan to fix the core problems underlining the crisis in aged care,” ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler, said.
“We have known what the real problems in aged care are for years, but despite dozens of reports, inquiries, investigations and even a Royal Commission all saying the same thing, no one as been prepared to address these core problems. Tonight, we have just heard promise of a Government that, if elected, might actually take the genuine action needed.

“The Morrison Government was given a road map for reform more than a year ago by its own Royal Commission but failed to act on the Commission’s critical recommendations. Instead of overseeing desperately needed improvements, in the year that has elapsed, the Government has overseen a deepening crisis across the sector.

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) also urged politicians to prioritize the issues impacting the nursing profession in the lead up to the federal election.
“For the last two years, nurses have led Australians through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said.

“I constantly hear stories from my colleagues sharing the exhausting toll of COVID-19 on their physical and mental health as they care for the sick and vulnerable as well as the need to better invest the health care dollar to optimise Australia’s largest and most geographically accessible workforce. This Federal Election, all political parties must place long term and tangible solutions to address the crisis facing the nursing workforce.

“Registered nurses are central to leading reform in our health and aged care systems and improving the health of all Australians, particularly our most vulnerable. However, there needs to be investments on multiple fronts to ensure our workforce is sustainable and optimally utilised for generations to come.”

Adjunct Professor Ward pointed to the need for election commitments to focus on ensuring registered nurses with specific training in aged care are available on-site 24/7 in aged care facilities, addressing the unacceptable levels of occupational violence the profession experiences and allowing advanced practice nurses to work to their full scope.

“ACN is a bi-partisan and for-purpose organisation that exists to support the views and expertise of the more than 400,000 nurses we represent nationally,” she said.

“The solutions we have consistently advocated for to address the workforce crisis are directly informed by the lived experiences of nurses on all frontline settings of care delivery including aged care, mental health, primary care, hospitals and emergency departments. During the campaign, I urge political leaders to listen to the concerns of Australia’s largest health profession, as the health of our nation will suffer without nurses.”

Post-federal election

Both the ANMF and ACN congratulated Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor party on the federal election victory.

“We are delighted that we finally have a Federal Government that has a real plan to fix the systemic issues in health and aged care,” ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler, said today.

“Mr Albanese and his team, including Mark Butler and Clare O’Neil, have already listened to the ANMF and have committed to working with us to develop a health workforce which is ready and able to respond to Australia’s health needs.

“In aged care, the ALP has committed to funding legislating mandated staffing ratios in private aged care facilities, improving wages for the depleted workforce and making sure taxpayer-funds for providers are tied to direct care for residents.

“On behalf of our members across the country, the ANMF congratulates Mr Albanese and his team on winning government and we look forward to working with them in developing and delivering real solutions which can ensure fair and equitable outcomes in health and aged care for all Australians.”

ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said “I congratulate the ALP on their election victory and look forward to working with new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler.

“Throughout the election campaign, all sides of politics acknowledged the importance of investing in a sustainable nursing workforce to ensure all Australians receive expert nursing care for generations to come. The next few months provide a unique opportunity for those promises to be backed up with tangible action.”

Adjunct Professor Ward highlighted a multi-pronged approach is required to address workforce shortages and ensuring the new Government’s pledge to have Registered Nurses 24/7 in residential aged care facilities is met.

“As I said at the time, I welcome the ALP’s positive intent to support the health of our vulnerable elderly population by ensuring they have access to highly-trained nurses,” she said.

“However, action is required on multiple fronts to ensure Australia’s largest health profession continues to shape the health of all Australians for generations to come. The solutions ACN advocates for are based on the experience and expertise of our Members and nurses we represent nationally.”

“They include improving access to transition pathways after graduation, visas for internationally trained nurses, greater health and wellbeing support, refresher courses for enrolled and registered nurses and ensuring nurses can access MBS item numbers. I re-iterate my calls for the incoming government to hold a national summit to develop an action plan to ensure these solutions are implemented.”
“I would also like to thank outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison and retiring Health Minister Greg Hunt for all they have done to support the nursing profession during their time in office.”

The ACN also welcomed strong results for the Australian Greens and independent candidates following the federal election.

“I congratulate the Australian Greens and independents on substantially increasing their representation in Parliament. ACN is a non-partisan membership-based peak body and we stand willing to work with politicians from across the political divide to ensure the issues impacting the nursing profession are urgently addressed,” ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said.

“During my time as CEO, we have had a strong relationship with the Greens under the leadership of Adam Bandt and his predecessor Richard Di Natale. This has also extended to a state level where we are grateful for The NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann’s support for tax-free COVID-19 payments for nurses.”

“We have also worked very productively with the independents, including former nurse Dr Helen Haines who is a member of our Parliamentary Friends of Nursing group. We look forward to expanding this to include those newly elected to Parliament.”

“I urge both the Greens and independents to use their increased powers to ensure the Government take tangible action to address the nursing workforce crisis. Investments are required on multiple fronts to ensure the issues impacting Australia’s largest health profession are addressed, allowing us to continue shaping the health of all Australians for generations to come.”

“The solutions ACN advocates for are based directly off the experience and expertise of our Members and nurses we represent nationally. They include improving access to transition pathways after graduation, visas for internationally trained nurses, greater health and wellbeing support, refresher courses for enrolled and registered nurses and ensuring access to MBS item numbers.”

“Nursing must be at the top of the Green’s and independent’s priorities as we know that when we invest in nursing, we invest in healthy communities.”

The ACN also welcomed the Ministers in the Federal Government following the appointment of the Hon Mark Butler MP as the Minister for Health and Aged Care, and the Hon Ged Kearney MP as the new Assistant Minister.

The ACN also extended best wishes to the Hon Anika Wells MP, as the Minister for Aged Care; the Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Rural and Regional Health; and Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health.

“I am very pleased to congratulate Mark Butler, and likewise Ged Kearney – who as a former nurse and co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Nursing will bring a unique and exciting perspective to her portfolio,” ACN acting CEO Yvonne McKinlay FACN, said.

“Mr Butler and Ms Kearney are long-standing friends of ACN, and we have deeply valued their ongoing support for Australia’s nurses.

“Both took time to speak at the ACN Policy Summit held in March and shared with our membership their commitment to working with us in the event of a Labor victory.”

“I look forward to working with Mr Butler and his team to progress these much-needed initiatives over the next three years. Now is the time to champion bold reform, and ACN and our membership are ready to play our part.

“I would also like to take a final opportunity to acknowledge the willingness of the previous government to engage with ACN. I remain grateful that our organisation continues to enjoy such bipartisan support for its work,” Ms McKinlay concluded.

The post Nursing 2022: The Profession’s Priorities in an Election Year appeared first on My Health Career.

Affordability

ESSA has called for removing GST from exercise physiology in order to make services more affordable, citing that this would have an impact on clients such as:

• any of the 459,053 National Disability Insurance Scheme clients not in supported independent living, who access exercise physiology services as part of their packages as of September, 2021
• any of the 186,570 older Australians who access exercise physiology services as part of their home care packages as at September, 2021
• those Australians who access exercise physiology services via private health insurance and who pay privately to access exercise physiology services

ESSA pointed out that exercise physiology is the only standalone profession with a Chronic Disease Management Medical item that is not exempt from GST.

Expanded access for chronic disease

ESSA stated the costs involved in not providing adequate access to exercise physiology services for those with chronic health conditions. They cited a study which estimated:

• the total cost of physical inactivity for Australia in 2013 to be $805 million, this comprising $640 million in direct costs spent on health care and $165 million in indirect costs due to lost productivity from conditions and issues including disability, absenteeism, presenteeism, and informal care

ESSA provided details of the recommendation of the Allied Health Reference Group as part of the Medicare Benefits Scheme Review, which was to increase the number of allied health sessions for those under GP Chronic Disease Management Plans and team care arrangements using a risk stratification model and creating a new initial allied health assessment item. The ESSA report stated that “despite solid evidence which supported the clinical benefits and cost savings for these changes, these recommendations are yet to be implemented. The current restriction of five individual allied health sessions over a twelve-month period is insufficient to treat chronic conditions using evidence-based, best practice clinical guidelines, particularly where patients have more complex health issues or display higher risk factors. Some patients may require multiple sessions with one or more allied health professional/s in order for their care needs to be appropriately assessed and managed. Most patients need more than one allied health session – one to assess and a minimum of one session to treat, but generally require more sessions for effective treatment.”

Expanded access for mental health conditions

ESSA called for Accredited Exercise Physiologists to be added to the list of eligible allied health practitioners for existing individual and group items and any new allied mental health case conferencing items under the MBS Better Access Initiative. They stated that evidence for access to physical health services including exercise services from the time of first diagnosis of a mental health condition is supported by the Lancet Psychiatry Commission, the Productivity Commission Mental Health Inquiry Report and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Expanded access in aged care

With the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety highlighting that allied health care services offered in Residential Aged Care Facilities is insufficient, making up just 2% of home care funding, ESSA called for investment in a preventative, reablement and restorative approach in aged care.

ESSA advocated for a mandate for allied health care in Residential Aged Care Facilities to include exercise physiologists, with specific investment to be made in clinical assessments to determine funding and care needs.

Increased preventative health measures

The bottom line ESSA recommended for preventative healthcare was for the investment to total 5% of annual health expenditure. The cited that in contrast, in 2018, Australian governments and compulsory schemes spent approximately 1.8% of their total health budget on preventative care as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

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Pre-budget submission

Dietitians Australia highlighted 13 priorities for the 2022-23 Federal Budget including health policy, aged care, the Medicare Benefits Schedule, food-based dietary guidelines and rural healthcare:

• Health policy: DA stated that there is an urgent need for the Federal Government to update the 1992 National Food and Nutrition Policy into an up-to-date National Nutrition Strategy with a well-resourced, co-ordinated, evidence-based and strategic action plan
• Aged care: DA advocated for the aged care sector receiving additional funding to engage Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) to improve malnutrition screening practises and existing nutrition, food and dining experiences
• Medicare Benefits Schedule: DA suggested that fit-for purpose Medicare item numbers be introduced to support people with mental health conditions and people with disability to access appropriate levels of nutrition therapy; increased access from 5 to 10 rebated allied health service consultations annually for those with a chronic health condition
• Dietary Guidelines – DA stated that funding is required to develop Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians, to be followed up with prioritising public education, implementation and evaluation of the new Australian Dietary Guidelines
• Regional, rural and remote health care – DA has advocated for scholarships for allied health students undertaking clinical placement in regional areas to be introduces, and for regional communications infrastructure to be improved to support access to telehealth

Post-budget opinion

In March 2022, Dietitians Australia welcomed the Federal Government’s acknowledgement of the need for a National Nutrition Policy framework. This was following the federal budget’s inclusion of $700,000 over 4 years for the development of a National Nutrition Policy, which will take a multi-sector approach to identify, prioritise and monitor healthy eating in Australia.

Dietitians Australia Predisent Tara Diversi said “This is one small step for the government, and one giant leap for the health and wellbeing of Australians.

“Australia last updated its national nutrition policy in 1992 – which was thirty years ago.

“Since that time, the diet-related health of Australians has become worse, with statistics showing that 27 500 Australians die a preventable death each year due to eating a poor diet.

“Food insecurity is also on the rise in Australia, affecting 1 in 6 adults and 1.2 million children in 2021.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food access issues for many Australians. Demand for emergency food relief has risen as people experience reduced income from loss of work and our supermarket shelves are going bare due to supply issues.

“And sustainable food production must be addressed with Australia’s diet causing the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions of all G20 countries.

“These are all issues that can be tackled within the National Nutrition Policy Framework.”

Dietitians Australia CEO Robert Hunt presented a view on how the $700,000 outlay could be an investment in the Australian Economy.

“Healthcare expenditure related to unhealthy eating patterns is estimated at $1.4 billion, attributable to insufficient vegetable intake alone,” Robert said.

“Healthcare costs and lost productivity attributable to overweight and obesity is also estimated to be $8.6 billion per annum.

“While $700k is a relatively small investment into such a major issue, we’re grateful to see that the government has finally heard our calls after many years.”

Pre-federal election

Prior to the May federal election, Dietitians Australia CEO Robert Hunt called upon the major parties to prioritise Medicare-funded nutrition support for those with mental illness and disability, as well as mandatory reporting measures to protect older Australians in aged care.

DA published a scorecard rating the major parties’ commitments to nutrition in aged care, mental health, disability and the National Nutrition Policy. CEO Robert Hunt expressed disappointment with the Liberal and Labor response, saying that there was “very little commitment to ensuring our nation’s most vulnerable have access to affordable food and nutrition.

“The downstream healthcare costs of our poor health are worth billions – and rising. So beyond helping Australians live their best lives, preventive health measures through nutrition could actually save the nation billions of dollars.”

Post-federal election

In the fortnight following the federal election, DA called on Hon. Mark Butler MP, who was appointed Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, to tackle food affordability and a significant rise in diet-related illnesses.

DA CEO Robert Hunt said “27,500 Australians die a preventable death each year from an unhealthy diet.

“And with rising costs of fresh food pushing people further toward cheaper unhealthy alternatives, we can expect diet-related risk factor health system spending to soar above the current $16.2 billion a year.

“We know Minister Butler will have a lot on his plate stepping into the job but developing a new National Nutrition Policy should be the main course to help tackle diet-related illness in Australia.”

“Labor’s 1992 nutrition policy was considered ahead of its time for bringing together all spheres of government to provide food and nutrition security for all Australians. Reviving that policy could be a great catalyst for change.”

Following the election, DA reiterated that they were pleased to see the previous LNP government’s support of the development of a National Nutrition Policy in the 2022-2023 federal budget, and urged the new government to elevate the priority of this policy.

The post Dietetics 2022: The Profession’s Approach to the Budget and Federal Election appeared first on My Health Career.

Pre-budget submission

The ADA’s pre-budget submission was released in January 2022. The background information highlighted groups identified as most in need in the National Oral Health Plan 2015-24, these including:

• Those who are socially disadvantaged or on now incomes
• First Nations Australians
• Those living in regional and remote areas
• Those with additional and specialised health care needs

Regarding older Australians the submission stated that oral health has been neglected for many years as a result of decreased accessibility and poor affordability, and referred to long waiting lists for public dental services. It cited:

• The Aged Care Quality Standards Recommendation Point 19 from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, stating that Aged Care Quality Standards are reviewed urgently with a commitment to best practice oral health care being an amendment by 31st December 2022
• The Better Access to Health Care Recommendation Point 60, to establish a seniors dental benefits scheme by 1 January 2023
• The Aged Care Workforce Recommendation Point 79, for a review of certificate courses in aged care to include oral health as a core competency for aged care facility staff

The proposed budget for Aged Care Oral Health was $1.3 Billion per year for a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme for those who receive the aged care pension, and $13.9 million per year for registered dental practitioners to become integral members of aged care teams.

Regarding rural and remote Australians, the submission stated that smoking, drinking, reduced access to fluoridated water, social determinants of health, health literacy are compounded by a shortage of a skilled dental workforce. These factors combined lead to poorer oral health outcomes than in metropolitan areas. Recommendations included:

• Direct improvements to patient-centred oral health services such as increased funding to teledentistry ($2.1 million p.a), support for the development of the Indigenous oral health workforce ($5 million over 5 years for 100 students), and better utilisation of the Child Dental Benefits Scheme ($1 Million media campaign)
• Those for dental and oral health practitioners and specialists for equipment in rural communities, public access to tertiary dental specialist outreach services, CPD courses in regional areas, career incentives for long-term employment of dental practitioners in regional, rural and remote locations, and private health fund benefits for teledentistry
• For dental and oral health students and new graduates, continuing to target an allocation of students from First Nations and regional backgrounds, including dentistry in the “bonded” HECS Reimbursement Scheme, training of students and allowances for transport, accommodation and living expenses for students on rural health placements ($1 million over 5 years)

A national public waiting list for dental services was also proposed at a cost of $89.58 million p.a., as were health promotion initiatives including front-of-pack labelling on all packed food and drink products containing added sugars and the continuation of subsidising TGA-approved smoking cessation products.

Post-budget opinion

The ADA considered that the March 2022 federal budget placed no importance on the nation’s oral health.

ADA CEO Damian Mitsch said “This is a very disappointing outcome when we know that thousands of people have to wait years to get a dental appointment in the public system.

“Also, there are large numbers of Australians including those in residential aged care, those on Level 4 Homecare Packages, those from socially and economically challenged backgrounds and Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander populations for whom dental care is unaffordable.

“The ADA has put to successive governments and to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety our plan to fix the inequity in oral care between those who can afford their own dental care and those who have to wait years in the public system.

“If the government adopted the Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule, it would mean funding dental care for older Australians as well as some fundamental systems finally being put into place to ensure better dental care for residential and home care residents,” said Damian Mitsch.

While National Partnership Agreements were once again extended in the Budget to ensure public dental services for another year or two, the ADA saw this as a Band-Aid measure for a broken system.

Pre-federal election

In the lead up to the federal election, ADA President Dr Mark Hutton requested that members lobby the major political parties to ensure that dentistry was a critical part of the election conversation.

Issues raised in the lead up to the election were:

• The Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which was only being used by 38% of eligible families
• Establishing a Dental Benefits Scheme that provides older Australians with a capped entitlement to subsidised oral health services to address immediate needs
• Ensuring all over 75s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 55 and residents of aged care facilities get a mandatory and reportable oral health assessment
• Overhauling the Aged Care Quality Standards so providers must meet oral care standards, as urged by the Aged Care Commission
• Implementation of core oral health study units in the Cert III Aged Care Courses to ensure staff are equipped to meet oral hygiene needs of residents

During the week leading up to the federal election, the ADA congratulated the Greens for including oral health on their shortlist of issues should they have held the balance of power following the election. The ADA noted the Greens costing of adopting dental into Medicare as $77bn over a decade, starting with a spend of $7.5bn from July 2023 and a further $7.5bn the following financial year.

ADA Deputy CEO Eithne Irving stated “With so many pressures on the public purse, no government has ever prioritised this. Yet the knock-on effect of untreated oral health issues to other parts of the health system including urgent dental problems presenting at emergency departments is huge.

“For example around ten in every 1000 children hospitalised is due to a dental condition. The hidden cost to Medicare from patients seeking care from their GP likewise, has been estimated to be up to $300 million per year.

“The ADA’s plan to start smaller within residential aged care and incrementally fix the broken oral healthcare system there is far more acceptable and will save money in the health system in the long term but more importantly, improve the health and well-being of one of our most vulnerable populations.”

Post-federal election

Following the May 2022 federal election, ADA President Dr Mark Hutton congratulated the Labor government and stated that he was looking forward to its new Cabinet delivering on the undertaking to work with the ADA.

The ADA revealed that in a letter before polling day, Labor promised that it would work with the ADA to improve training for aged care workers, ensuring that an oral health component was included.

Dr Hutton said, “Labor has said it understands the importance of oral health to elderly Australians and acknowledges the relevant recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Final Report.

“Further, they wrote to us saying that an Albanese Labor Government would engage with relevant stakeholders, including the ADA, to address issues with aged care vocational and university education programs, the Aged Care Quality Standards and other regulations relating to oral health needs in residential aged care.

“This is great news and will go a long way to fixing some of the biggest issues facing the 190,000 residents of aged care facilities around Australia, many whose oral health issues are not being met as often as they should be, or not at all.”

Dr Hutton added: “Within the next few weeks, the ADA will be contacting all relevant members of parliament to ask for their support in pushing for these and other advocacy issues which will improve the oral health of older Australians – primarily to back a Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule to fund dental care delivered by private and public dental services to older Australians who need it most.”

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