The NSW Government has today released the report from the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding.
This delivers on an election commitment from the Minns Labor Government to have an inquiry into healthcare spending.
The commission, led by Hon. Justice Richard Beasly, found the NSW Health system to be a high performing one with the treatment and care it provides to be among the best in the world.
As with any large and complex organisation, there is always room for improvement.
The inquiry received 226 written submissions as well as heard testimony from 225 witnesses over 70 days of hearings, including patients, providers and policy experts.
The inquiry also visited every local health district and specialty health network across metropolitan as well as regional NSW, including meeting management, clinicians, health consumers, and healthcare providers such as General Practitioners, Non-Government Organisations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Aboriginal Medical Services.
From this, the report has produced 41 recommendations across 12 priority areas including:
- the need for allied and preventative healthcare
- challenges around primary and aged care
- the health workforce
- statewide health service planning
- procurement processes
- innovation.
The Government will now carefully consider these findings and respond in due course.
Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“I want to say from the outset that the NSW health system is one of the highest performing in the world, supported by the most talented and dedicated clinicians and workers.
“It doesn’t mean that we don’t have our challenges, and it doesn’t mean we can’t find more ways to improve.
“This is why we delivered on our election commitment to establish a Special Commission of Inquiry into healthcare spending.
“I am so grateful to the commission and the many people from every level of our health system who generously shared their insights with the inquiry.
“It is now time to give the findings and recommendations of this report the consideration it deserves.”
Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes:
“We have an opportunity to fundamentally shift our health system’s focus by embracing this report.
“We know the future of healthcare is in allied and preventative care, which will keep people out of hospital and help them recover faster.
“The HSU is ready to work with the state government to implement the reforms recommended in the report, which will improve the health of the people of NSW.
“Shifting our attention from costly emergency and surgical intervention to allied and preventative care will save money and improve peoples’ health, which is not only good for individuals but the wider community.”