The sustainability of healthcare systems around the world are under threat, with the way we design and deliver care in need of reform. The international movement of value-based health care (VBHC) presents a structured, whole of system approach to bring all parts of the system together to drive transformational reform that addresses the complex interplay of the issues undermining sustainability.
A new Perspectives Brief released today by the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association’s (AHHA) research arm, the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research, and co-authored by leaders from AHHA’s Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care and the Welsh Value in Health Centre, explores the evolution of VBHC and the lessons we can learn from international leaders to support VBHC operationalisation in Australia.
The Brief ‘Transforming for Value-Based Health Care: Lessons from NHS Wales’ reflects on the growth of the grassroots VBHC movement and its evolution to encapsulate ideas of equity, public value, context and social, environmental, and cultural outcomes.
‘The pressures of the health system are being experienced through long waiting lists, ambulance ramping and unaffordable care’, says AHHA Chief Executive Kylie Woolcock.
‘Often the solutions do not lie where the pressure is felt, and we need to look to other areas of the health system.’
‘VBHC provides a framework to support all parts of the health system to come together with the people and communities they serve. It fosters transparent decisions about where and how resources should be deployed in order to drive the greatest improvements in health outcomes.’
The Brief also explores what is needed to better support the operationalisation of VBHC across Australia, recognising that a mix of top-down, bottom-up, centralised and decentralised approaches will be needed.
‘Significant expertise and experience in VBHC exist within the Australian health system; with many services, stewards and institutions already contributing to the pursuit of value and outcomes within their own spheres of influence.’
‘However, the coordinating mechanism that brings together the various expertise from across the system is missing,’ continued Ms Woolcock.
‘We have an opportunity to capitalise on the growing momentum within Australia towards VBHC, and resource a nimble and flexible networked model of VBHC implementation. AHHA’s Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care can provide this opportunity.’
The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) is the independent peak membership body and advocate for the Australian healthcare system and a national voice for universally accessible, high-quality healthcare in Australia.
Media enquiries: Kylie Woolcock, Chief Executive, AHHA, 0410 625 830
