At the May meeting we welcomed Peter Breadon, Health Program Director, Grattan Institute as a new Board Member. More information on the IHT Advisory Board Members is available on the IHT Website
Hot topics discussed at the May 2024 Board Advisory Meeting
On healthcare reform:
- The development of the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) will be a key driver for reform.
- It was noted that significant reform to the Victorian Health Systems is being signalled with recent budget and reform announcements. Amalgamations of services are one option being proposed as part of changes to the structure and design of the state’s healthcare system.
- Note, that Rob Grenfell (and Stephen Duckett) have written an article in the Australian Health Review (April 2024) on the experience of amalgamations at Grampians Health over the last 2 years.
On opportunities for the Institute:
- There is a role for the Institute to support state and federal government in implementing evidence-based policy, such as analysing the implications of reforms under consideration for rural health equity?
- What role can the Institute play in fact checking the current status of the health system? How can the Institute’s networks be leveraged here?
- What role can the Institute play in telling stories for Health Services?
- Value based healthcare is one of the underpinning approaches for the Victorian government’s Department of Health. There is an opportunity for the Institute to consider how its expertise can support health services across the state in learning, development and implementation of value based healthcare initiatives..
On the Impact Pillar of the IHT Strategy
- Intended impact versus actual impact should be considered in the metrics and in project planning and communication.
- Note the CSIRO report (circulated to the Impact Team following the meeting) as a good example of articulating Impact.
On the new IHT Health Consumer Centre
- The Board noted how exciting this development is for IHT, Deakin and the broader sector.
- How can the Centre build understanding and capacity of engaging consumers at governance levels in Health Services?
- What will leading-edge consumer engagement look like and how will contemporary issues such as AI impact this?
- The Health Consumer Centre will continue to build a collaborative relationship with Safer Care Victoria as an important partner in this work.
- Will there be the opportunity to clearly articulate the difference in consumer and community engagement and identify the relative contributions each make to health transformation?
- How might the Health Consumer Centre provide an alternative career path for researchers with potential for internships?
