The University of Queensland has asked Australian and international health experts meeting in Brisbane today to “think creatively” on the issue of health workforce reforms.
The Health Workforce Innovation Workshop, jointly convened by UQ and Queensland Health, has attracted more than 200 delegates, including representatives from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States. It will be held at the Carlton Crest Hotel today and tomorrow.
Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Peter Brooks said the current environment provided an opportunity for change, but a shift in thinking would be necessary to take full advantage of this.
“Health workforce shortages are seen in every country in the world and Australia, like others, has to think creatively about future workforce requirements and react accordingly.
“The recent release of the Productivity Commission paper into the Health Workforce and the Forster Inquiry in Queensland provide great opportunities for shifting the current workforce paradigm to create a health system which is truly patient centred, consumer focused, but provider friendly,” Prof Brooks said.
“This is going to require a significant shift in thinking, challenges to old hierarchies and a real effort from all health professionals to move out of their “silos” and into this brave new (and hopefully healthier) world,” he said.
The workshop has attracted experts from a range of disciplines, who will look at new health delivery models which would include development of key new roles, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, anaesthetic assistants and radiographers assistants.
Key questions to be addressed during the workshop will include the healthcare requirements of 2010 to 2020, what new delivery models are needed, how practitioners should be trained and accredited, and how will these services can be funded.
The Workshop’s full program is available at www.healthworkforceinnovation.com.au
For more information please contact:
• At the conference — Manager Ruth Lilian – (07) 3229 9111 ext. 1197; or
• Faculty Communications Officer Marlene McKendry 0401 996847.
