Rees calls for national health body

NSW Premier Nathan Rees is proposing Australia's healthcare system should be run by
a single body overseeing regional health authorities, saying his plan would put an
end to blame-shifting.

Mr Rees said his envisaged National Health Commission wouldn't result in a "federal
takeover" of health but would involve both levels of government, clinical experts
and community groups setting policy directions.
All current health funding would be pooled and then allocated to regional health
authorities - based on existing area health service boundaries.
Regional health authorities would then integrate all health care including
prevention and screening through to GPs, allied health, hospitals, rehabilitation
and aged care.
"This would provide a seamless patient journey, ensuring care matches patient needs,
rather than bureaucratic silos," Mr Rees told parliament.
"The current incentives for cost-shifting and blame-shifting would be reduced if not
eliminated."
Mr Rees said he was willing to trial the concept in one of NSW's area health
services, saying he believed the reform model would forever change the nature of
health care in Australia.
And while stressing his proposal was "genuine", Mr Rees said the detail would have
to be worked through with the other states and the commonwealth.
"Let's get beyond the false dichotomy between a federal takeover and states'
rights," he said.
"Let's build a wellness system, instead of just a health system.
"A system based on quality care planned locally and delivered locally."
In the lead-up to the 2007 federal election, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Canberra
would consider taking over the hospital system if the states did not lift their
game.
However, a National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission's report, released in
July, stopped short of calling for a full federal takeover of hospitals.
But under reforms suggested by the commission, the commonwealth will take over
responsibility for all primary care and outpatient services, as well as a public
dental system.
It has also left open the option of the commonwealth funding 100 per cent of
hospital admissions further down the track.
Mr Rees said on Wednesday that the report was a "good start", but the reform process
must go "even further".
Opposition health spokeswoman Jillian Skinner said Mr Rees' proposal sounded more
like a "thought bubble", saying it lacked framework, costings and no detailed
planning.