Healthcare Assignment: Australian Health System for Ageing Population
Question
Task:
This healthcare assignment requires students to build on the analysis where a specialist health service’s preparedness to meet the needs of Australia’s ageing population was considered.
The analysis, to date, has used systems thinking approach and has been based on the WHO six building blocks of a health system framework.
1) Service Delivery.
2) Health Workforce.
3) Information.
4) Medical Products, Vaccines and Technologies.
5) Financing.
6) Leadership and Governance (Stewardship).
Answer
Introduction
Within the context of vulnerable populations, the role and influence of preventative strategies as well as technology on demand for healthcare in the future are essential to consider by every healthcare organisation. In addition, it is further essential for enhancing quality service delivery by the Australian healthcare system to use its capabilities in preventing illness and providing care to vulnerable populations. Based on such context, in this report, the Australian health system has been chosen for in-depth analysis and understanding about its pathology services in providing safe and affordable care for all Australians, specifically the ageing population. This organisation is jointly run by each level of Australian government including local, federal, state and territory. Likewise, this report focuses on analysing responsiveness and quality services of the Australian health system towards the needs of an ageing population of Australia that are maintained and enhanced by the pathology service and its service providers.
A concise overview of the pathology service and the main findings
Pathology services have become one of the fundamental aspects of modern medical practice and the healthcare system as around 70% of the healthcare decisions are based on pathology results in order to spot the diseases. In addition, the development of Medicare services and the increased ageing population in Australia reflectsanopportunity towards the increasing future demands for pathology services which require interconnectedness between the pathology services and the hospitals, patients, general practitioners, pharmacies and government, (Health.gov.au, 2021).
However, limited access to technology for delivering quality care and services in terms of pathology has been identified to be the major threat and weakness of The Australian health system. As a result, it is expected that the revenue within this industry could decline by the end of the year 2026 if appropriate measures and strategies are not integrated within the healthcare system.
By 2042, the number of Australians aged 85 is likely to get double which would require pathology services in order to detect and prevent catastrophic diseases. In terms of the six building blocks, the increasing demand for pathology services requires adequate technological infrastructure, financial stability, support from the government, effective regulations, training for the workforce, effective management and availability of medical products and vaccination, effective leadership and management skills for exploiting the opportunities of increasing demand by the ageing population in terms of primary and secondary healthcare services and profitability at long-haul. Hence, in order to promote a successful healthcare system by The Australian health system, the need to focus on the opportunities by capitalizing its strengths for delivering quality pathological services has become essential to meet future demands and quality care and service delivery.
Analysis of how quality service provision is maintained and enhanced by the service
As indicated by Safetyandquality.gov.au, (2017), the interconnectedness between the pathology service and the broader system of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards are well maintained and enhanced by the following eight standards in terms of quality care and service standards for an ageing population and care consumers.
- Clinical governance: Focuses on maintaining reliability, quality, and safety of healthcare in order to enhance health outcomes for patients.
- Partnering with consumers: Maintains and promotes person-centered health care.
- Recognizing and responding to acute deterioration: To respond efficiently to patients when their cognitive, physical, or mental condition deteriorates.
- Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection: To prevent and manage infections by limiting the development of antimicrobial resistance, (Zanjaniet al. 2021).
- Blood Management: Effective care for patient’s own blood and adequate supplies of blood and related products.
- Medication Safety: Focuses on safe prescribe, dispense and administer of medicines to patients through continuous monitoring.
- Communicating for Safety: Effective communication at all terms, (Dixit and Sambasivan, 2018).
- Comprehensive Care:Effective screening, assessment, and risk identification processes including pathology service plan for preventing and minimising risks of harm.
On the other hand, The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) for health practitioners maintained by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) has been also a significant aspect in maintaining and promoting health services in terms of pathology for the ageing population. This scheme introduces consistent legislation for health and medical practitioners in Australia, (Health.gov.au, 2021). In terms of pathology service and medical practitioners, the NRAS has developed standards, codes, and guidelines respectively aligning the administrative support of AHPRA. This standard ensures that the health professionals are registered in terms of maintaining high and consistent professional standards as well as assist health professionals to work at distinct states and territories of Australia. This in turn results in quality care and higher medical assistance towards the medical practitioners of pathology services as well as in terms of patient care.
Other than that, other professionals who self-regulate under the banner of the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) also highlights potential standards and regulation for practitioners within the healthcare profession that reflects effective maintenance and support for ensuring that the patient receives adequate care and support from the certified health professional. The pathology services and the health professionals are well maintained by complying with the standards, single point of contact for stakeholders, advocate for self-regulating health professions, promoting and advancing them, and increasing public confidence towardshealthprofessions, (Nasrhp.org.au, 2021). As a result, quality service delivery while complying with regulation, standards, and code of conduct are well maintained and enhanced which can be integrated efficiently in terms of pathology services.
Evaluation of responsiveness to the needs of an ageing Australian population and how it may be enhanced by the service
The below table highlights the responsiveness of potential healthcare standards to the needs of an ageing Australian population in terms of pathology service.
|
Standards |
Aim |
Context of pathologyservice |
Meet the challenges |
Gaps |
|
NSQHS: Clinical Governance Standard, Action 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.15 |
The aim of this standard is to actively manage and enhance the safety and quality of health care for patients, (Safetyandquality.gov.au 2021). |
Action 1.8, 1.9, and 1.10 focus on the measurement, quality improvement, and risk management which are essential for an effective quality improvement system, accurate and timely information on safety and performance to stakeholders, identifying and Action 1.15 intents in managing risks, and include the diversity of consumers and high-risk groups with adequate care and services. |
Create opportunities to meet the increasing demand for pathology services due to the ageing population which are being met effectively at present |
The need for the integration of advanced technology for enhancing the quality of services and care is essential in pathology services. |
|
SA Health: Allied Health Clinical Governance Framework |
To govern and support the professionals for delivering the safe and best care for clients, consumers, and health services, (Sahealth.sa.gov.au. 2018). |
Offers statewide clinical pathology services for SA health |
Effective compliance with standards and regulatory measures to meet increasing demands for pathology services. |
Funding |
|
NSQHS: Partnering with Consumers Standard, Action 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 |
Aims to deliver healthcare rights, informed consent shared decisions, and planning care for patients, (Safetyandquality.gov.au, 2021). |
Patients can be treated as partners in the measurement, planning, design, and delivery of pathological services which can make them feel comfortable and satisfied. |
By partnering with patients in their care can assist to deliver quality care for the ageing population. |
Communication |
|
AHPRA: Continuing Professional Development |
It directs all registered health practitioners to undertake CPD for each profession, (Ahpra.gov.au, 2021) |
Compliance with relevant standards and guidelines for developing safe working practices. |
Assist to enhance professional and personal skills to meet the needs and demands of the ageing population with adequate care. |
Lack of skills |
|
AHPRA: Recency of Practice |
It suggests practicing safely and competently in terms of recent practice to work and maintain an adequate connection with the profession, (Ahpra.gov.au, 2021). |
Promotes and responds to effective diagnosis and pathological services by highlighting relevant guidelines to practitioners. |
Effective and adequate service delivery to the ageing population by adhering to safe and competentpractice. |
Communication |
Analysis of ethical issues and considerations related to service delivery decisions and vulnerable populations
In terms of ethical issues and considerations, Callander et al. (2021) indicated that access to care specifically the involvement of vulnerable populations including the ageing population and communities has been significant within the healthcare system of Australia. It has been identified that the vulnerable populations are still facing issues in terms of affordability, acceptability, availability, accommodation, and accessibility to healthcare service delivery decisions in terms of pathology services. As the ageing population is expected to rise in the forthcoming years, the ethical issue of access to care needs to be resolved for delivering quality services, effective decisions as well as to exploit the benefits associated with this rising industry based on profitability and quality care.
On the other hand, Looiet al. (2021) argued that malpractice and negligence is a significant ethical issue despite the defined standards, regulation, and code of conduct associated with the healthcare system of Australia. Specifically, within the pathology services, malpractice, and negligence can lead to death or risks to harm towards the vulnerable populations who are in need of care. This issue is highly influenced by the lack of communication, patient-centered care, and professional skills of health care professionals. Hence, the need to consider the ethical issues for effective management and enhancement of pathology service delivery to the vulnerable or ageing population of Australia has become important in terms of quality service delivery and informed decisions.
Recommendations for future action
It has been identified that The Australian health system is effective in the management of quality service delivery in terms of pathology services towards the ageing and vulnerable population. However, the need to enhance the system is evident due to the gaps in health care systems. Firstly, in order to enhance the system, the need for government and relevant organisations to ensure adequate funding and to develop technological infrastructure associated with pathology service is significant for delivering adequate care and informed decisions to the care consumers in terms of theirhealth and diseases. As per (Busset al. 2018), the need for adequate communication at each level of the health care system is further essential for managing and improving the health and care systems. Such a strategy is further recommended to The Australian health system as well. Secondly, professional skills have to be further developed within the scope of pathology service for enhancing the abilities of pathological departments and medical practitioners, (Chun et al. 2018). As a result, the ethical issues and considerations can be managed for meeting the present and future challenges with regard to the ageing population.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be stated that The Australian health system has been significant in maintaining and promoting adequate pathological and other services delivery with an extensive focus on ageing and vulnerable population while complying with ethical considerations, health care systems, and standards of practice. However, it is essential for the health care systems, government, and relevant stakeholders of the organisation to collaboratively work together for eliminating the issues and constraints associated with pathology service delivery for the ageing population. By delivering the needed services with ethical considerations, the gaps can be eliminated and potential opportunities can be exploited at ease.?
References
Ahpra.gov.au. 2021. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Continuing Professional Development. [online] Available at:
Ahpra.gov.au. 2021. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Recency of practice. [online] Available at:
Buss, V.H., Shield, A., Kosari, S. and Naunton, M., 2018. The impact of clinical services provided by community pharmacies on the Australian healthcare system: a review of the literature. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 11(1), pp.1-10.
Callander, E., Shand, A., Ellwood, D., Fox, H. and Nassar, N., 2021. Financing maternity and early childhood healthcare in the Australian healthcare system: costs to funders in private and public hospitals over the first 1000 days. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 10(9), pp.554-563.
Chun Tie, Y., Birks, M. and Mills, J., 2018. The experiences of internationally qualified registered nurses working in the Australian healthcare system: An integrative literature review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 29(3), pp.274-284.
Dixit, S.K. and Sambasivan, M., 2018. A review of the Australian healthcare system: A policy perspective. SAGE open medicine, 6, p.2050312118769211.
Health.gov.au. 2021. National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. [online] Available at:
Health.gov.au. 2021. The Australian health system. [online] Available at:
Safetyandquality.gov.au. 2017. National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. [online] Available at:
Safetyandquality.gov.au. 2021. Clinical Governance Standard. [online] Available at:
Sahealth.sa.gov.au. 2018. Clinical Governance Framework for Allied Health Professionals. [online] Available at:
Zanjani, M.E., Ziaian, T., Ullrich, S. and Fooladi, E., 2021. Overseas qualified nurses’ sociocultural adaptation into the Australian healthcare system: A cross-sectional study. Collegian.
