The BCA welcomes the release of the Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce - Scope of Practice Review Final Report.
This is a significant Review and provides the opportunity to address some of the key challenges facing the health and care economy as Australia's population ages, by providing practical recommendations to reduce workforce shortages, lift productivity and deliver better outcomes for patients.
The Review provides 18 recommendations to address system changes, with a much needed focus on removing the barriers to enabling health professions to work to their full scope of practice, optimising the use of resources across the primary care sector.
Business Council Chief Executive Bran Black said the BCA has long called for this issue to be addressed.
"We know the primary care system is the foundational pillar of Australia's health care system, and we need to undertake the appropriate reform to ensure the system remains sustainable and fit for purpose for future generations," Mr Black said.
"The redesign of the workforce and harmonisation of legislation and regulation will improve productivity, patient experience and workforce satisfaction.
"Patient safety and clinical autonomy is paramount with any reforms. We need to continue to recognise the important role General Practitioners play in providing the necessary healthcare for Australians."
This Review further complements the independent review of health practitioner regulatory settings (Kruk Review) which the Australian Government has committed to fully implement.
