Check against delivery
*Acknowledgments omitted*
Good morning.
The theme of this year’s conference – In Motion – reflects both the complexities and opportunities of delivering effective care in our fast-paced, modern world.
It speaks to the energy of our daily lives and how that momentum can be harnessed to drive innovation, creativity and connections.
It underpins our government’s work to strengthen the public health system, support our health workforce, and develop new models of care.
Already, we’re trialling new ways to access medicines, reviewing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee Guidelines and undertaking rapid research into areas of unmet clinical need and added therapeutic value.
Our government has also approved funding for new and amended PBS listings to the value of 1.9 billion dollars.
This builds on our previous commitments which have seen more than 300 listings added or changed since July 2022.
We’re proud to be collaborating with AdPha and other peak bodies through the Therapeutic Goods Administration to strengthen how we monitor and respond to medicine shortages.
As an active member of the TGA’s Medicine Shortages Stakeholder Forum – and having contributed to several consultations on reform – we value AdPha’s partnership and look forward to continuing this important work together.
AdPha’s advocacy is instrumental in shaping several key initiatives, including the Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting trial, which has been up and running in my own Local Health District for just over a year.
This initiative speaks to the power of innovative and collaborative ways of working.
Demonstrating that when pharmacists, doctors and nurses work side-by-side, we can reduce medication errors, improve patient safety and lift quality.
This trial is underway across New South Wales, and I look forward to hearing the program’s outcomes once the final evaluation report is released.
We’re also developing a National Allied Health Workforce Strategy to address the key pressures on Australia’s healthcare workforce.
This includes skill shortages and service gaps, particularly in rural and regional communities.
The Strategy is being shaped by insights from several rounds of consultation.
It will focus on removing barriers preventing health practitioners from working to their full scope of practice.
I want to thank those of you who participated in these consultations and helped inform the draft strategy.
Your input is invaluable, and I look forward to sharing the final strategy with you shortly.
Our government is also continuing work with the sector to make sure Australians have access to affordable, cutting-edge health technologies, including pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tests.
The Health Technology Assessment Review, released last September, reaffirmed our world-class system and highlighted opportunities to do even better.
We’ve listened, and we’re acting.
We’ve established an Implementation Advisory Group to bring together voices from industry, clinicians, and consumers – including First Nations people – to help guide the next steps.
Finally, I would like to speak to our government’s work to strengthen Australia’s mental health system – something which touches so many of us, both personally and professionally.
As a specialist mental health pharmacist at a regional hospital for nearly a decade, I know how important access to timely, affordable mental health care is.
We’re committed to reforming mental health services in this country and improving access to care when and where people need it most.
Putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and services in the centre of communities.
This financial year, we’re investing 7.8 billion dollars in mental health and suicide prevention.
Including expanding the range of free mental health support available for people experiencing mild mental health challenges or situational distress; (job loss, relationship breakdown or bereavement).
We’re also strengthening the capacity of services outside our hospital networks with the roll out of 91 Medicare Mental Health Centres and the introduction of our new Youth Specialist Care Centres.
Just last week we reached a key milestone, announcing Medicare Mental Health Check In, our new national early intervention service which will be up and running next year.
I look forward to working alongside my fellow AdPha members to strengthen and evolve mental health supports.
Building on what we’ve achieved and exploring how we can make care more accessible and responsive for every Australian.
I would like to thank AdPha and its members for your dedication and commitment to delivering the best possible care for your patients.
As we are often reminded, in hospital we see people at their most vulnerable.
The compassionate care you provide makes a real difference – and it does not go unnoticed.
It has been a pleasure speaking with you this morning.
I encourage you all to embrace this year’s theme of In Motion and look forward to hearing the outcomes of this year’s conference and working with you to create a health system that is innovative, inclusive and ready to meet the needs of every Australian.
Thank you.