Queensland PHCRED Policy Forum
4 March, 2009, Brisbane
Ellen McIntyre, PHC RIS & Denise Schultz, Qld PHCRED State Wide Coordinator
Delegates from the Department of Health and Ageing, Queensland Health, regional and state health organisations, consumers and researchers came together on 4 March for the second Queensland PHCRED Policy Forum to hear key speakers from the research, policy and consumer sectors provide diverse perspectives on two key issues – (1) models of care and the workforce and (2) preventative health care.
 Reference was frequently made to the national reforms currently underway. There was a sense that things can change now, given the closer alliance between state and national governments to improve health care. The global financial crisis, current workforce issues along with the increased burden of chronic disease and the ageing population all contribute to the need for change mainly because continuing to do what we have always done is no longer a viable option. In addition, preventative health is being given a greater focus in the primary health care area. For these changes to be effective, research is needed to determine not just what works, but how it can best be implemented and how well it works. Measuring, monitoring and tracking are essential for this. There was an expressed need for more consumer involvement in identifying health care needs and in determining what research needs to be done.
Workforce issues are intertwined with funding models – our current multiple funding models and predominant fee for service make it almost impossible to provide any form of coordinated care. Federalisation of health care using a more suitable funding system and greater utilisation of information technology will allow better integration and more patient-centred care than is currently possible.
An outcomes statement from this meeting is being prepared – it will soon be available on <www.som.uq.edu.au/research/phcredqld/>
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