Transforming for success: building on strengths, embracing partnerships
AGPN National Forum 2011
Melbourne, 16-19 November 2011
Attended by Ellen McIntyre, Petra Bywood, Simon Patterson, Kelly Binelli, Amanda Carne, Christina Hagger, Bradley Smith, Olga Anikeeva, PHC RIS
The 2011 AGPN National Forum focused on the ongoing transition to Medicare Locals and aimed to give delegates greater insight into the achievements to date and the vision for the future. The presence of over 1 000 delegates at the Forum highlighted the interest and intrigue surrounding the reform process.
The keynote speaker at the opening plenary was Dr Glenn Singleman, medical professional and BASEClimber. The main message of his engaging speech was that any goal can be achieved through drive, innovation, commitment and consistent performance. It is not the goal itself that is important, but the process used to achieve it.
The Honourable Nicola Roxon outlined the Government's vision and priorities for Medicare Locals and the overall health reform agenda. She spoke about the primary role of Medicare Locals in identifying community health priorities and encouraging service providers to work together to address service gaps.
Ita Buttrose presented an honest and thought-provoking account of her experience as a carer for her father, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. She then discussed why leadership, clear vision, purposeful strategy and effective communication are essential in order to thrive during periods of structural and organisational change.
The final day of the Forum was focused on the future. Jim McGinty's presentation was about the need to reshape the primary health care workforce to meet changing health needs. Jeffrey Braithwaite's speech began with a broad look at the impact of population growth and technological advances, before focusing on particular health challenges such as information security and inequitable access to care.
In addition to the engaging plenary sessions, delegates could choose from a variety of table top presentations and panel discussions on topics including inspiring new health leaders and the role of Medicare Locals in prevention and community development. Delegates were encouraged to comment and ask questions at all sessions, which added to the knowledge shared.
The AGPN National Forum 2011 presentations are available at <www.gpnetworkforum.com.au/agpn-national-forum-2011-presentations>
Opportunities for Health Services Research: to inform, improve and inspire
7th Health Services and Policy Research Conference
Adelaide, 5-7 December 2011
Attended by Ellen McIntyre,
Petra Bywood & Christina Hagger, PHC RIS
This seventh Conference of HSRAANZ coincided with the Association's 10th birthday. The theme was Opportunities for Health Services Research: to inform, improve and inspire.
The opening plenary looked at Success Stories: Big Impact Health Services Research. Professor Chris Baggoley, Chief Medical Officer of Australia, reminded delegates that the promise of health reform is still just that - a promise. Delivery of proposed benefits requires commitment right across the hospital and health system. This commitment needs underpinning by definitions that are clear and consistent across all jurisdictions. In a later address David Ben-Tovim, speaking on the complexities of Governing the Commons (Ostrom) for the collective good, also noted the importance of timely, useful and useable information about the stocks and flows of activity.
Paul Glasziou reminded us of the rarity of the 'Big Break Through' and the reality that progress is generally made more through small innovations. He encouraged us to remember success can be achieved by going from failure to failure without losing heart and quoted Thomas Edison who, when challenged with a lack of success when inventing the light bulb, replied ... "why would I feel like a failure? And why would I ever give up? I now know definitively over 9 000 ways why an electric light bulb will not work. Success is almost in my grasp".
The concurrent sessions offered a diverse range of research perspectives. As one example, Jon Wardle noted that approximately one in six Australians now rely on complementary medicine as their primary point of health contact. There is a particularly high prevalence of use by people with a chronic illness. The uptake was noticeably higher in rural areas and this may reflect a preference for local providers rather than city based professionals. Complementary medicine may be an untapped resource in primary health care and the audience was asked to consider whether it was an appropriate one.
Conference presentations are available at <www.hsraanz.org/Events/PastEvents.aspx>
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