PRESS RELEASE: Healthscope receivership prompts AHHA Ltd call for health system reform

The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association Limited, Tony Farley has said that the announcement about Healthscope’s financial troubles should provide governments with the opportunity to think carefully about the sustainability of our health system and how public health care is funded and delivered.

Australians expect high-quality universal services, from health and disability to aged care and early childhood. Delivering on those expectations requires open, honest conversations about sustainability, priorities, and the true cost of excellence.

‘The standards expected of public hospitals should be applied in any setting and by anyone providing public health care, regardless of whether they are public or privately owned and run,’ said Mr Farley.

‘A modern health care system needs to be integrated, seamless and enable local flexibility while maintaining national consistency to deliver the standard of care that people and communities deserve. Any future service provision planning needs to learn the lessons of the past and include the health care professionals of today in the planning of that future.’

The AHHA Ltd acknowledges the success and importance of Australia’s blend of public and private healthcare. The fact that Australia is placed as one of the top-performing health care systems in the world relies on that collaboration – its strength and complexity must be nurtured and supported.

Mr Farley said that ‘it’s time to recognise that Australia’s public hospital system sets a very high standard of critical care in this country, and that this excellence shouldn’t be taken for granted.’

‘It’s tough to run an endlessly stretched public hospital and health system, and while neither is perfect, the future of Australian health care depends on renewal and innovation that involves both public and private providers having a voice in its future.’

With the renewed momentum from the recent Federal Election, now is the time to seize the opportunity to host these challenging conversations about health system reform and deliver care that reflects what matters to Australians in a sustainable and equitable way.