Page 233 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
An ACT preventative health task force, including members from the community sector, medical professionals, ACT Health officials and others, could develop a preventative health strategy for the ACT and provide ongoing advice to government on how best to achieve preventative health outcomes for the ACT. The independence of such a body set up that way with a prominent Canberran at its head would make a real difference in shaping government policy and community opinion.
We also pledged an additional $1 million a year for preventative health measures and it is again disappointing that Labor did not support that initiative. The impact of many chronic diseases can be limited if the condition is diagnosed early and treatment programs are put in place immediately. Often early intervention will prevent chronic disease from becoming so severe that a patient requires hospitalisation.
An effective way to detect chronic disease and to provide early intervention and treatment is through regular visits to a general practitioner. John Menadue, who has conducted reviews of both the New South Wales and South Australian health systems, states that the evidence is clear that countries with strong primary healthcare have lower overall costs and generally have healthier populations, especially where there is higher primary care and primary care physician availability.
A number of federal government initiatives are available to general practice specifically for the treatment and management of chronic disease. The Canberra Liberals recognise the importance of a strong primary healthcare sector in preventative health and limiting the impact of chronic disease on our community, and it was again disappointing that at the election the Labor Party and the Greens did not support our $5 million package to support GPs in our community.
Once diagnosed with a chronic disease, many patients seek information and help in managing that disease. This support can be provided in part by their general practitioner, but there are also many community-based health organisations that specifically provide support for people diagnosed with chronic illnesses. Much of the support focuses on and enables the patient to self-manage their illness. Self-management involves the person with the chronic disease engaging in activities that protect and promote health, monitoring and managing symptoms and signs of illness, managing the impact of illness on functioning, emotions and interpersonal relationships, and adhering to treatment regimes.
The benefits of this approach are self-evident. Self-management not only allows the patient to live a healthier life but empowers them, which in turn helps them to combat the psychological impact of living with a chronic illness. Self-management also takes a significant burden off our already stretched health and hospital system, often reducing or eliminating what would otherwise require frequent hospitalisations.
Many health services internationally and in Australia have recognised the importance of self-management of chronic disease. New South Wales has a self-management model. Much of this support is delivered by community-based health organisations and groups. For example, Arthritis ACT, in partnership with SHOUT—Self Help Organisations United Together—already deliver chronic condition self-management support in the ACT such as the course “Living a healthy life with chronic conditions”.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video