Long Term Health Planning

I was very pleased to see the headlines in the CT this morning outlining a long term health care reform agenda for Canberra.

The planning required for an effective health system of the future needs to start now. We can’t rely on planning that only links in with the electoral cycle and Minister Katy Gallagher’s request for the Health Department to draw up a 10 year plan is welcome news.

Innovative ideas like the use of Barn Theatres where surgical staff and resources are shared between operations are being used effectively in Europe, although there have been concerns over the increased risk of infection. This risk can be reduced by the use of “airwalls” to stop the potential spread of disease. Other suggested innovations such as a “hot floor” at Canberra Hospital where operating theatres and intensive care facilities co-exist, make absolute sense.

The development of a Community Health Centre in Gungahlin is also an important step in providing health facilities closer to population growth centres. With a projected four fold increase in those aged over 85 by 2032, there is also a need to plan for a dramatic increase in bed numbers.

Aided by strong community consultation, we can get the planning process right. The first steps are to engage with the community on our existing and future needs, and to ensure we have access to quality research and innovative practices that are being used effectively in other health systems around the world.

If we continue to develop a mindset of analysis, target and review, we can adapt and modify our plans as our needs change.