The Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) has today released its inaugural State of the Health Sector Report, exploring priorities, opportunities and innovation from leaders from across the Victorian publicly funded healthcare sector.
More than 7 million Victorians rely on over 200 publicly funded healthcare organisations to provide timely, accessible and high-quality care. The VHA surveyed public healthcare organisations across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria – including public Hospitals and Health Services, Community Health Services, Bush Nursing Centres, Specialist Care Services, Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services, Early Parenting Centres and non-bed-based services.
VHA CEO Leigh Clarke said the findings presented in this Report are about a sector demonstrating commitment, adaptability and resilience and rising to the challenge to deliver the healthcare that Victorian communities need.
‘This is the first time sentiment right across the Victorian publicly funded healthcare sector has been measured. Victoria’s publicly funded healthcare sector is something to be proud of, it means many things to Victorians, including providing trusted and local healthcare. It is diverse, innovative, responsive and adaptive to the growing needs of Victorian communities,’ Ms Clarke said.
‘Overwhelmingly, all healthcare organisations told us they felt strongly connected to the communities they serve – providing a solid foundation for a more sustainable healthcare system.’
Ms Clarke said that the three critical areas of importance to the sector were supporting the capacity of the workforce to respond to projected growth and unmet demand, sustainable and long-term funding arrangements that will enable expansion and innovation, and the opportunity to improve coordination across the system.
‘The capacity of the Victorian healthcare sector is growing and evolving. Ageing populations and complex care requirements will mean the healthcare system will need to change and adapt. Positively, Victoria's healthcare organisations are looking forward, considering how to expand their service delivery to meet the growing need,’ Ms Clarke said.
‘Over the years, healthcare organisations have done well to navigate complex challenges, the rising cost-of-living, combined with the impacts of an ageing population and rising chronic disease. These issues are not unique to Victoria; they are occurring right across the country and will require shared solutions between both the Federal and Victorian Government.’
Ms Clarke said that that a comprehensive mix of healthcare organisations will continue to be needed as community needs change and adapt.
‘A strength of the Victorian public healthcare sector is its community and primary care structure. Millions of Victorians access their healthcare from Community Health Services, and other services within the Victorian public healthcare sector, including Bush Nursing Centres and non-bed-based services such as Maternal and Child Health services. This provides many opportunities for services to work together to deliver comprehensive care in the community.’
She added that system planning that responds to changing community needs, assisted by long-term funding, will meet the healthcare needs of communities now and into the future. ‘Across the sector, there are some excellent examples of innovation that are improving the coordination of care in Victoria.'
‘The opportunity presented by virtual care is a game changer for the health workforce, including video and telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and use of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED). These options bring care into the home, reducing the need for patients to travel into urgent care centres and emergency departments – enabling greater workforce collaboration and bolstering system capacity,’ Ms Clarke said.
Ms Clarke said that the connection healthcare organisations have with their local communities is a strong asset that can inform policy development and service planning.
‘Healthcare organisations know their communities best – there is an opportunity for the sector to lead the way in delivering innovative healthcare that addresses the long-term challenges. Working with the Victorian and Federal Governments, the sector can deliver better health outcomes and build capacity to meet healthcare needs of Victoria’s growing and diverse population,’ Ms Clarke said.
Key points
Victoria’s public healthcare organisations are demonstrating resilience and adaptability in delivering the healthcare that their communities need.
This diverse sector offers a mix of services which lead the way in innovation and better health outcomes, across emergency care, community health, specialist services, aged care and health promotion, primary care and prevention.
Across the sector, more than 200 healthcare organisations are publicly funded. More than 7 million Victorians rely on these organisations to provide timely, accessible and high-quality care.
Critical areas of importance to the sector were supporting the capacity of the workforce to respond to projected growth and unmet demand, sustainable and long-term funding arrangements that will enable expansion and innovation, and the opportunity to improve coordination across the system.
Existing solutions including the use of virtual technology and the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department are enabling greater workforce collaboration and bolstering system capacity.
A strength of the Victorian public healthcare sector is its community and primary care structure, providing many opportunities for services to work together to deliver comprehensive care for their community.
For further information contact:
Primary contact Toli Papadopoulos, Public Affairs Advisor
toli.papadopoulos@vha.org.au
0408 851 302
Visit our website: www.vha.org.au