The National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) is a significant healthcare policy introduced by the Australian Government in 2011. The agreement is designed to improve healthcare services across the country by providing funding for hospitals and primary care services.
Under the NHRA, the federal government provides funding to the states and territories for their hospitals and primary healthcare services. In return, the states and territories agree to abide by certain principles and commitments laid down in the agreement, such as providing timely access to healthcare services, improving coordination between healthcare services, and reducing waiting times for elective surgeries.
One of the major objectives of the NHRA is to reduce the burden on hospitals and emergency departments by increasing the focus on primary healthcare services. This helps to prevent serious illnesses and hospital admissions, which in turn reduces healthcare costs and improves patient outcomes.
Another significant feature of the NHRA is the introduction of activity-based funding (ABF) for hospital services. Under ABF, hospitals are paid for the services they provide based on the number and type of treatments performed, rather than receiving a block grant regardless of the services provided. ABF encourages efficient use of resources and improves transparency and accountability in the healthcare system.
The NHRA also includes provisions for mental health services, dental health services, and Indigenous health services. The agreement recognizes the importance of these services in the overall healthcare system and provides funding to improve access and outcomes in these areas.
In 2020, the Australian Government announced a new round of funding for the NHRA, with an additional $131.4 billion committed over the next five years. This funding will support ongoing improvements to the healthcare system and ensure that Australians have access to high-quality and timely healthcare services.
In conclusion, the National Health Reform Agreement is a crucial healthcare policy that aims to improve healthcare services across Australia. Through funding and commitment to certain principles, the NHRA seeks to reduce healthcare costs, improve patient outcomes, and increase efficiency and accountability in the healthcare system.