Hot topics discussed at the June 2025 Advisory Group Meeting
Updates from the sector:
Victorian Government
- Victorian Government financial constraints continue to dominate discussions. There are opportunities for IHT to contribute to current strategy development around health system sustainability.
- Regime change in the Victorian Department of Health is positive and they have appointed a Chief Health Economist.
Federal Government
- Productivity is important framing and is currently a strong focus of the Federal Government across all government areas including health. The recent Federal Healthcare Reform Meeting focussed on:
– economic analysis to the hospital/primary care interface
– rapid translation of new technologies and new methods of care
– data integration and analytics - Post election opportunities in bulk billing incentives, mental health support, cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics and women’s health initiatives.
- Questions are emerging on the value or not of the taxpayer funded private hospital system.
Primary Healthcare Networks
- Federal Government is reviewing current Primary Healthcare Networks.
- Primary care reform is underway with significant gaps in change management, sector engagement and understanding the microeconomics and business models for GP Clinics even at PHN level.
- PHNs also are needing assistance with data analytics.
- PHNs meet at a state level across Victoria and Tasmania, and this may be a useful engagement platform for IHT.
New Melton Hospital
- New Melton hospital is presenting challenges in resourcing the required workforce in time for the 2029 opening. Meeting these requirements will require workforce planning and development of new models of care and the potential for AI.
- There is also opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of alternate care models where role substitution is involved to see if there is any impact on outcomes?
Changes to the national Research landscape
- NHMCR review of consumer engagement in research is likely to shift requirements for the future.
- National Health and Medical Research Strategy is under review and there is likely to be a draft out in late June, early July which Deakin will have the opportunity to provide input. The focus of the draft is likely to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and workforce.
- The Impact of significant withdrawal of research funding in the US presents an opportunity for talent acquisition and for the development of new partners in Southeast Asia?
Aged Care Reform
- Changes scheduled for implementation on 1st November will have impacts in residential aged care and in home support.
More information on the IHT Advisory Group Members is available on the IHT Website.
Go back to the August 2025 Newsletter
