Groundbreaking health forum a first for NZ

Media Release for immediate release

Groundbreaking health forum a first for NZ

Greater collaboration between public, private and NGO sectors involved in healthcare is the focus of a groundbreaking forum in Wellington in two weeks time. The Health Leaders Conference on 3-4 May is unique – the first time that people from across the health sector have come together cooperatively to tackle important issues and work on solutions.

“People are increasingly realizing that a more collaborative approach is critical to achieving better health outcomes for New Zealanders,” says conference convenor, Claire Austin.

Some of the more controversial topics for discussion include the tension between patients and structures, exploring the ‘market’ for elective services, and greater definition about private and public roles in the health sector.

The forum will also be presented with academic research on important topical issues, including an evaluation of NZ’s primary health care reforms.

“This is a major opportunity for people to be involved in helping shape policy and charting a common vision for the future,” says Claire Austin.

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For further information, tel Claire Austin,
027-559-9890
04-499-0834

Health Leaders Conference backgrounder

The growing problem:

Countries around the world are grappling with the rapidly rising cost of running health care systems. Aging populations and technological advances are pushing up demand for treatments and this means significant cost implications both today and into the future.

Funding healthcare over the next few decades will be a bigger issue than the retirement savings problem. How we choose to respond to these challenges will determine the quality of healthcare New Zealanders have in decades to come.

Why collaboration is essential:

In order that we can collectively rise to the challenges in health, there is a need for all sectors to be working better together. We need to be sharing our stories of what works and what doesn’t. We need to recognize what the strengths of each sector are, and play to those strengths. And, perhaps most importantly, we need to move beyond policies based on ideology and politics, and instead look to develop policies based on what works best for health outcomes in New Zealand, based on research, evidence and information.

There is a wealth of experience both domestically and internationally. New Zealand has been a leader in some reforms in health. With ACC and Pharmac, for instance, the purchasing approach is critical to keeping costs down and freeing up resources elsewhere in the system.

Who’s involved?

The conference itself is collaboration between public and private sectors – with the principal sponsors being the Ministry of Health and Southern Cross. It is entitled ‘Great Expectations’ because that is what we all have of our health system, and that’s the goal we are all working towards.

The conference draws into the debate a wide range of stakeholders. In addition to representatives from health sector organizations themselves, there is participation from academics and others from related fields.

A top class line up of both international and domestic speakers, presenters and panelists are involved, with a range of workshops aimed at stimulating discussion, feedback and learning. The keynote speaker is Prof Nick Bosanquet from the UK, a health economist who first carried out research on NHS funding in the 1980's for the York Reports sponsored by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Institute for Health Services Management. He has been Special Adviser on public expenditure to the Commons Health Committee since 2000.

Conference expectations:

The conference is more of a forum for charting a new direction in health, - a more collaborative health system which makes the best use of all resources in all sectors to deliver the best health outcomes we can. Attendees can expect to be engaged at the front end of this, and play a part in shaping the future of health care in New Zealand.

A number of topics are on the agenda, either in plenary sessions or smaller workshops, including:

• Creating a shared vision;
• Public and private roles in health care;
• Evaluation of primary health care reform;
• Patients vs structures;
• The electives services market;
• Impact of technology;
• Workforce issues;

All contributions, discussion and debate will be collated and reported on. The proceedings will form an important basis for further work and cooperation across the health sector.

More information and to register online visit www.healthleaders.co.nz

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