> Resources and Publications > Snapshot of Australian phc research > 2009 > Foreword

I am pleased to introduce the 2009 Snapshot of Australian primary health care research, which builds on the inaugural issue launched last year.

The Australian Government is continuing to pursue a comprehensive health reform agenda to create a fairer, more sustainable health system. Primary health care is a key priority for this Government, and a key component of our reform agenda.

The work of the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission and the development of the National Primary Health Care Strategy will continue to inform future health policy directions for the  benefit of all Australians. The 2009-10 Budget showed that, in spite of difficult global economic conditions, the Australian Government is committed to improving the health system including a package of measures to boost the health workforce, and extending our maternity services reforms. The Government is keen to support the important contribution that primary health care research can make to our health system. Innovative thinking, informed by the best evidence, can have significant benefits for our wellbeing, and can help to reduce the burden on the hospital system.

The Australian Government has also made a major investment in building and upgrading health, medical research and training facilities across Australia as part of the 2009-10 Budget. This investment is occurring across our health system with $430.3 million to upgrade health research infrastructure, $596 million invested to expand cancer research facilities and $7 million to boost the university departments of rural health. The upgraded infrastructure will ensure that the nation’s top researchers can continue to have the best possible conditions to help improve the lives of all Australians.

This booklet highlights stories of emerging evidence and best practice which can assist in the development of future health policy. It covers a wide spectrum of health priorities, including depression, heart disease, child and youth health. It also addresses the use of information technology to deliver better health solutions to people in remote areas - showing that distance need no longer be an insurmountable barrier to quality primary health care.

The Australian Government has contributed funding and support to each of these projects through the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) strategy. The strategy is designed to improve Australia’s primary health research capacity, translating ideas and data into clinical care and driving improvements to benefit all Australians.

The PHCRED strategy continues to support large and small research projects, researchers who are in the early stages of their careers, and large-scale collaborations between health services, universities and communities.

Primary health care research is critical for Australia’s health system to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and I congratulate the researchers featured herein.

Nicola Roxon
Minister for Health and Ageing
Canberra