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The Senate Select Committee on Health

The Select Committee on Health met in Launceston on the 4th November to inquire into and report on health policy, administration and expenditure, with particular reference to:

  1. the impact of reduced Commonwealth funding for hospital and other health services provided by state and territory governments, in particular, the impact on elective surgery and emergency department waiting times, hospital bed numbers, other hospital related care and cost shifting;
  2. the impact of additional costs on access to affordable healthcare and the sustainability of Medicare;
  3. the impact of reduced Commonwealth funding for health promotion, prevention and early intervention;
  4. the interaction between elements of the health system, including between aged care and health care;
  5. improvements in the provision of health services, including Indigenous health and rural health;
  6. the better integration and coordination of Medicare services, including access to general practice, specialist medical practitioners, pharmaceuticals, optometry, diagnostic, dental and allied health services;
  7. health workforce planning; and
  8. any related matters.

Senators Deborah O’Neill, the Hon Doug Cameron, Sean Edwards, Jan McLucas and Peter Wish-Wilson comprised the panel for the Launceston hearing. Dr Martin Harris and Mr Stuart Auckland from the University Centre for Rural Health were invited to appear before the committee to provide a rural health perspective.

Full Transcript (PDF 531.4 KB)

Published on: 12 Nov 2014 11:00am