ADAVB submission re National Safety and Quality Framework

The ADAVB has lodged its latest submission in response to the National Safety and Quality Framework proposed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC).

Their website about this initiative states that the Framework "is designed to guide action to improve the safety and quality of the care provided in all health care settings over the next decade." (emphasis added)

"The proposed framework would:

• Be used as the basis of strategic and operational safety and quality plans;
• Provide a mechanism for refocusing current quality improvement activities, reviewing investments for safety and quality and designing goals for health service improvement; and
• Promote discussion with consumers, clinicians, managers, researchers and policy makers about how they might best contribute to safety and quality improvement."

In general the ADAVB considers the Framework to be quite reasonable, with sound concepts and ideas. A few points in the ACSQHC Discussion Paper have raised concerns, and these are informed by the view that office-based practice cannot be asked to meet the same standards as acute facilities or community health centres, with their access to extra administrative personnel to address red tape requirements.

Some points we have argued against, while we believe that other issues raised by the Framework lend strong support to our arguments against certain reforms being advocated in other places e.g. the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission and the National Health Workforce Taskforce.