The Albanese Government is taking proactive steps to ensure that the dedicated and highly skilled healthcare workforce can fully utilize their expertise, experience, and training.
An independent review, spearheaded by Professor Mark Cormack, has been initiated to explore the potential and challenges of enabling Australia’s health professionals to operate at the pinnacle of their practice. This review was a key recommendation of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
The comprehensive assessment will scrutinize the available evidence pertaining to health professionals operating at their maximum capacity within Australia’s primary healthcare system, or any barriers impeding them from doing so.
Extensive engagement with stakeholders will underpin this review, with the results set to be presented to the Australian Government in the latter half of 2024.
Leveraging technology, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, healthcare professionals operating at their full potential can deliver substantial advantages for both patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
Fulfilling their potential is not only crucial for the professional and personal growth of healthcare workers but also plays a pivotal role in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.
Ensuring that Australia optimizes its healthcare workforce within the stretched primary care sector will bolster health access and equity across all communities, including those in regional, rural, and remote areas.
Professor Cormack brings a wealth of experience as a distinguished health system and public policy executive. His appointment as Honorary Professor at the Australian National University (ANU) College of Health and Medicine in 2020 is complemented by the recent establishment of the National Centre for Health Workforce Studies at ANU. This follows a lengthy career in public service, including a tenure as the CEO of Health Workforce Australia.
His professional background encompasses early work as an allied health professional and health services manager. Professor Cormack has also served as Chief Executive (ACT Health) and Deputy Secretary (Commonwealth Departments of Health, Veterans’ Affairs, and Home Affairs).
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their contributions to the review by October 16, 2023. Further information can be found [here](insert link).
Minister Butler remarked:
“For too long, too many of our health workforce haven’t been able to work to their full potential.
“Whether it is nurses, pharmacists, or allied health professionals, in a global health workforce shortage we need everyone working as close as possible to the top of their scope.
“The review team, led by Professor Mark Cormack, will consult widely with stakeholders and analyze the available evidence before providing its recommendations to the Government.
“This is the first of many opportunities for input into this important review.”
