PRESS RELEASE: Australian Health Review: Equitable access to healthcare – the evidence for moving forward

‘Most Australians will face a mental health issue during their lifetime, and we need a health system and workforce that is able to deal with the intricacies and specific needs of individuals seeking mental health care,’ says Dr Sonĵ Hall, Editor in Chief of the Australian Health Review, AHHA’s peer-reviewed journal.

In this issue of the Australian Health Review, a policy reflection from Prof Ian Hickie and Dr Sebastian Rosenberg of the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, takes us on the journey of mental health reform in Australia, where we are now, and where we need to go if we are to meet the needs and expectations of our community.

‘Professor Hickie and Dr Rosenberg caution undertaking any new inquiries on mental health without first reviewing key recommendations previously handed down and yet to be implemented. They also call for reforms to the NDIS, and the need for better access to foundational psychosocial services for people outside the NDIS.’

‘Continuing the theme of equitable access to healthcare, individuals and families seeking help for young-onset dementia often face difficulties accessing appropriate residential care, as their needs straddle what is offered through mainstream mental health care services and aged care services.

‘Rarely spoken about, this issue has two papers examining the vexed question of how people with young-onset dementia are referred into the health and aged care systems, and how they access and register with public mental health services.

‘We know that we do not have enough healthcare professionals to meet current demand, especially outside of the major cities. This issue of the journal postulates that we could use our current workforce more effectively.

‘While expanding the scope for health care professionals is a much-debated topic, it should be something we continue to investigate in order to provide the best possible health care for patients, and improved conditions for our workforce,’ says Dr Sonĵ Hall.

‘Three policy reflections explore using the full expertise of radiographers and sonographers for optimal care and the case for podiatric surgeons.’

‘As COVID-19 cases surge once again, there is much we can take away from the public responses to the pandemic to better prepare for potential future health events. Articles on this topic include maintaining the health of people with and without COVID-19 during isolation, parental leave and returning to work, adapting to workforce changes during a pandemic and supporting rehabilitation practice for COVID-19 recovery.’

This media release is also available on the AHHA website: https://ahha.asn.au/australian-health-review-equitable-access-to-healthcare-the-evidence-for-moving-forward/