Unrivalled Transparency for Patients on the Way
Unrivalled access to information about the health and hospital system for patients has been supported by the House of Representatives as legislation to establish the Australian Government’s National Health Performance Authority passed through the lower house.
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17 August 2011
Unrivalled access to information about the health and hospital system for patients has been supported by the House of Representatives today as legislation to establish the Gillard Government’s National Health Performance Authority passed through the lower house.
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon welcomed the support of the House in establishing this critical national health reform agency.
“Australians deserve to know more about the performance of their local hospital and health services,” Minister Roxon said.
“The National Health Performance Authority will be the new watchdog for Australia’s health system, providing much needed transparency for our health system.
“The authority is part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to provide patients with better information about the performance of hospitals and other key areas of the health system through tools such as the MyHospitals website.
“We firmly believe that with transparency comes a great chance of improving health services and empowering patients to make decisions on the best information available.
“The authority will help Australians better understand their health system, including the difference in performance in big cities, outer metropolitan areas, regional centres and remote centres.”
Minister Roxon noted that Tony Abbott continued his campaign of negativity in opposing the authority and wider national health reform.
“Tony Abbott did enough damage to the health system when he was health minister. It’s disappointing that he hasn’t learnt his lesson and is stubbornly opposing national health reform.
“I’m even advised that when the House Standing Committee deliberated this legislation not one single Opposition member turned up to make a contribution.
“This typifies the Opposition’s whole attitude to health reform. Mr Abbott is determined to oppose everything – just for the sake of opposing.”
Minister Roxon also explained the authority will be delivered with no net increase in bureaucrats.
“The National Health Performance Authority and the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority are being established without any increase in the number of federal bureaucrats.
“In fact, the total number of bureaucrats employed by the Department of Health and Ageing is set to decline over the next two years, demonstrating our Government’s commitment to an effective and efficient public service.”
More information about the National Health Performance Authority is available through www.yourhealth.gov.au
For more information, contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7220
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