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Transcript – NHHRC Chair Dr Christine Bennett with Chris Kenny, Radio 5AA Adelaide

Station: 5AA
Date: 09/07/2008
Program: MORNINGS
Time: 10:24 AM
Compere: CHRIS KENNY
Summary ID: A00031319470
Item: DR CHRISTINE BENNETT TALKS ABOUT HOLDING A SERIES OF MEETINGS IN ADELAIDE TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT IMPROVING OUR HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS. SHE SAYS IT'S A NATIONAL LISTENING TOUR, TALKING TO FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE COMMUNITY IN EACH CAPITAL CITY. SHE TALKS ABOUT SOME IDEAS THAT HAVE COME FROM THE FORUM.

INTERVIEWEES: DR CHRISTINE BENNETT, NATIONAL HEALTH AND HOSPITALS REFORM COMMISSION


CHRIS KENNY: I just want to change tack now, to another big issue for any government in this country, and any consumer in this country, and that of course is health care. I'm joined on the line now by Christine Bennett, Dr Christine Bennett, who's in Adelaide today representing the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. Thanks for joining us, Christine.

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: Good morning, how are you?

CHRIS KENNY: Now you're heading to Adelaide to have a series of meetings, and the important thing about these meetings, I think, as far as our listeners are concerned, is that you are actually wanting to hear from the community their ideas about how we can improve our health and hospital systems.

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: That's right, Chris, we have from the outset thought this is a system for everyone, this is about the people of Australia, and what sort of health care system they want, so we've been on a National Listening Tour, we've called it, where we're talking to community, to frontline health workers as well, as well as government agencies and those who are running the health system, and in each capital city we're holding a forum with members of the community, and we're on our way to Adelaide today.

CHRIS KENNY: Now you've already held some of these forums?

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: Yes, we have, we're kind of on the home stretch now.

CHRIS KENNY: Now have you been presented with good ideas from the public, and don't just give me a glib yes, of course we have, what about passing on an idea or two that perhaps the experts might not have come up with, but you've managed to get from the community?

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: Yes, sure, look, one of the things is it's amazing how much consistency there is around the country, but each particular location has its own colour and own difference, so for example, here in Perth we've just heard about an idea that someone in the community group had about assisting with travel for those from rural, remote areas, having a health taxi licence, where people who want to give back to the community and help transport people, could have their car checked, and their driving checked, and actually on a voluntary, but cost-covered basis, perhaps help assist people come into the city for their care, that's sort of one innovative idea.

Another one was in the Northern Territory, around the different use of health professionals in rural remote settings, where you could actually have a doctor that you're associated with in the main centre, with a health professional such as a nurse practitioner in a rural remote area, but have a relationship with that particular doctor, and be able to supply care in those remote areas, but with an ongoing, consistent relationship. I mean, perhaps these are not, you know, rocket science, but it's that sort of thinking...

CHRIS KENNY: Practical ideas.

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: Yes. And the other one that we're really grappling with is, everywhere we go, the community is saying we get that our health is our responsibility, and how do we get out of our busy lifestyles, and actually do the things that are important to our health, like eat well, exercise and sleep well?

CHRIS KENNY: Yes. Is there a lot of dissatisfaction; is it palpable, the dissatisfaction with the public hospital system?

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: I think people recognise that people working in public hospitals are doing their best...

CHRIS KENNY: Sure.

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: ...but there are real issues with access. But it's not just the public hospitals, I have to say that we hear more about primary care in the general practice environment, and accessing a doctor for general care, as much, if not more, than hospital care, and in fact, a lot about aged care, a lot is coming through about the people who are not sick enough to be in hospital, but need more support than their home base carer can give them.

CHRIS KENNY: All right, well thanks for joining us, Christine. What I'll do in a moment is just let people know how they can feed into this process, so have a safe trip to Adelaide , and thanks for joining us.

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: Yes, you do have the number that people can call if they'd like to?

CHRIS KENNY: I do indeed, I do indeed.

DR CHRISTINE BENNETT: Excellent. Thanks, Chris, looking forward to it.

CHRIS KENNY: Thanks, Christine. OK, that's Christine Bennett, Dr Christine Bennett, she'll be in Adelaide tomorrow, and they're going to start having meetings and looking for ideas, and there is a community forum, and that's to be held on Thursday, the 10th, that's Thursday this week.

Now if you want to go along to that, and express your views on health care in Australia, or in South Australia, you can call 1800 888 374, that's 1800 888 374, we'll perhaps put that number, and also an email address up on the website, there's an email address where you can actually email into the Commission your suggestions for improving our health service.

End

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