AAP&CH concern over new health reforms

Posted on: Wed 5 May 2010

The following media statement is in response to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s media statement on ‘Strengthening Primary Care in Local Communities’, issued April 10, 2010.

Children, maternal and family health needs are at risk of not being met following Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s announcement on strengthening primary care in local communities.

The Australian Association of Parenting and Child Health (AAP&CH) president Rae Walter said there was no indication in the Minister’s recent press release about how, in carrying out the health reforms, child, maternal and family health needs would be adequately met.

“We’re deeply concerned about the thousands of families across Australia that access primary health services and while we acknowledge the importance of getting primary health care right in order to ensure people stay out of hospital, the AAP&CH is seeking evidence that the proposed primary health reforms will lead to improved outcomes for children and families,” she said.

“It is critical that the needs of families with young children accessing primary health care services are able to be met. The AAP&CH urges all levels of government to act in the best interests of Australian families and young children and embrace consideration of the needs for well-resourced early parenting services and child, maternal and family health services in any reform of the primary health care system. 

“We’re seeking urgent answers by the Federal Government to the following questions:

1. How will the proposed health reforms improve efficiencies and reduce costs of primary health services for child, maternal and family health?
2. Given early parenting services operate with local networks, statewide and in some cases, across State borders, how is it envisaged the localised primary health care services proposed in the Minister’s statement will be integrated and connected with early parenting services?
3. Early parenting services operate to compliment the statewide services provided for child, maternal and family health. How is it envisaged that strong referral pathways as well as links with early parenting services around parenting interventions, child health and development through education, mentoring, as well as direct family services, will be incorporated in the proposed services model?”

“Reform of the health-care system across Australia provides a unique opportunity to ensure the delivery of child, maternal and family health services are in fact strengthened.”

Ms Walter said the health reform would have a significant impact on the health of families and children and their well-being into the future. 

“The role of the ‘primary care’ system that is centered around a GP network has a different function (more focused on chronic disease) to that of a universal accessible ‘primary health care’ system presently available to families following the birth of a baby,” she said.

“The AAP&CH notes that the Minister states the primary health system will be strengthened to deliver benefits for patients with chronic diseases, to be able to work with local hospital networks and to play an increasing role in the delivery of services currently funded by the States.”

AAP&CH is Australia’s peak body for early parenting services.  For more information visit: http://www.aapch.com.au/.

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