Reimagining health post COVID-19
Date published:
15 Apr 2021
Reform for preventive, sustainable and equitable health
Despite the concerted efforts of physicians and other healthcare workers, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted key problems in the Australian health system and underscored persistent socioeconomic issues which influence the system and the health and wellbeing of Australians. It has crystalised the urgent need to reform the health system to make it more resilient and equitable, better prepared for current and future challenges and better able to deliver improved health and social outcomes for all Australians.
The RACP’s submission to the Federal Budget 2021-2022, developed by the College’s Policy and Advocacy team in collaboration with our specialty and reference groups, addresses the most urgent and important amongst these issues, including:
- a reformed and resilient health system for the future
- prevention in a changing climate
- sustainable care across the lifespan
- equitable access to quality healthcare and beyond.
Acknowledging the need to tackle the pressing issues stemming from the COVID-19 crisis, the submission asks that the upcoming Budget look longer term, and that allocations are made to address systemic issues over the period of forward estimates and beyond. We ask that the Budget aims to address the joint needs of investment in sustained health reform through better integration and futureproofing and in reinvigorated and targeted prevention efforts to better connect and support the national health system.
The constructive set of recommendations delivered to the Australian Government by the College is based on the experience of RACP members working across primary, community and hospital settings in the public and private sectors.
Read the submission
Media release