Health care commission to operate from next year

The Senate has passed legislation to establish the Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. As a permanent, independent body, the Commission will operate from 1 July next year.

The legislation was passed following amendments by the Greens. Senator Rachel Siewart, the Greens Health spokesperson, said the amendments would improve patient confidentiality thereby ensuring fully informed consent is gained from patients before their information can be published or disseminated. She said that throughout the health reform process there had been too much emphasis on hospitals rather than focusing on prevention measures, primary health and community services to keep people well and out of the hospital system.

Health and Ageing Minister Ms Roxon says that the Commission will be dedicated to monitoring safety and quality in health care. She said that the Commission is critical to the Government’s health reforms.

The Commission will:
* develop national standards for clinical safety and quality
* develop a national system for health service accreditation
* improve patient safety by reducing harm caused by preventable errors
* strive for more effective management of healthcare resources arising from unnecessary or ineffective treatment
* give independent and informed advice to all heathcare providers and healthcare users.