 Public Health in a 21st Century Society: New ways of knowing, doing, living
40th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference
Adelaide, 27-29 September 2010
Attended by Bel Lunnay, PHC RIS
Public health experts and practitioners from around Australia came together for the Public Health Association of Australia's (PHAA) 40th Annual Conference in Adelaide. Technologies and public health in the 21st century was the headline issue of the Conference, yet this lively meeting encompassed much more. The program was flush with diversity. Presentations, workshops and panel discussions tackled a gamut of issues crucial to present-day public health, including climate change, the environment and emerging health problems, Indigenous health and the impact of poverty and disadvantage on Australians' health.
The inaugural speaker, Professor Barbara Pocock, Director of the Centre for Work+ Life, set the scene for a conference that drew concrete links between the conditions of Australian life and the effects on health. She provided data which illustrated changing conditions of both work and household circumstances to show that, despite increased acknowledgement of the pressing need for 'work/life balance', most Australians continue to experience 'work/life collision'.
Other talks highlighted the changing nature of social structures which brings increased discrepancies in health; the public health ramifications of the changing physical sphere of our environment and the influence climate change has on affecting individual health; and the potential of rapidly expanding technologies for improving public health. Challenges associated with Closing the Gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Australians was grappled with through a dynamic panel session. Delegates were encouraged to consider what a 'full' health system that encompasses the needs of all Australians (as opposed to segmented services for particular groups) would look like.
Most presenters were conscious of potential policy measures that could emanate from their work to assist better health outcomes. A refreshingly strong 'action, not just words' ethos underpinned the conference and a discrete session was held for 'conference resolutions'. These are available on the website at <www.phaa.net.au/conferenceRes.php>
The draft policies endorsed at the Conference will soon be available on the PHAA website.
 Connecting care - Big Ideas, Local Solutions
AGPN National Forum 2010
4–6 November 2010, Perth
Attended by Ellen McIntyre, Simon Patterson, Petra Bywood, Cecilia Moretti, Amanda Carne, Mikaela Lawrence, PHC RIS
As anticipated, Primary Health Care Organisations (Medicare Locals) were the topic of discussion and debate at the recent AGPN Forum in Perth. The Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon challenged the audience to embrace the PHCOs and turn the vision of reform into a reality.
Many in the Divisions Network have already done significant planning for Medicare Locals as was evident from the models that were outlined by CEOs from Wentwest, General Practice Network South, and General Practice Gold Coast. Nevertheless, barriers to Medicare Locals were also highlighted. In particular, the challenges in forming partnerships with relevant organisations such as Aboriginal Health organisations, State and Area Health services and other health providers. There was also a perception throughout the Forum that Medicare Locals could just end up as revamped Divisions.
David Butt, CEO of AGPN, encouraged network members to "do or be done to" as he outlined how the sector should drive the long overdue reorientation of the health system.
Keynote speaker Professor Chris Ham (King's Fund) provided lessons learned from the UK experience of primary care trusts. With a new government and financial problems, they are about to change again to GP consortia who will be responsible for 80% of the funds - 'a poisoned chalice' perhaps?
A different perspective was taken by PNG Secretary of Health, Dr Clement Malau who outlined the need for harmonisation to ensure adequate and appropriate health care given that PNG has a double disease burden - infectious disease and life style diseases. Dr Clement stressed the need to engage the community for this to occur.
The table top presentations of local solutions provided a smorgasbord of great stories covering population health and community development, health service design delivery and integration, and workforce planning and development. See <www.gpnetworkforum.com.au/forum-program-2010> for abstracts of these presentations.
At every session there was plenty of opportunity for delegates to ask questions and comment - this added to the information and knowledge that was shared throughout the three days. I look forward to the 2011 Forum in Melbourne next 16-19 November.
|
