Australian Health Care System - Coursework Example

Australian Health Care System AUSTRALIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Titus Rock Manickam Order No. 279796 16 March 2009 Table of Contents Introduction3 Multiculturalism.3 Primary Health Care...4 The role of three levels...5 Interaction in the multidisciplinary team7 The role of Enrolled Nurses8 Conclusion...9 Sources10 AUSTRALIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Introduction It is important and needful to have a good health system in place for immigrants. There can be no second guessing in health concerns because a good health system ensures guaranteed environment of a good, clean atmosphere where people can continue to enjoy good health now and for long time to come. The Australian health care system is second to none in imparting services to the vulnerable immigrants and refugees. By focusing on health care for the immigrants those in charge of the Australian health care system are not only providing the most basic services to the community but are also proving their vigilance is constant and foolproof. Proper health care is essential because one can never be sure of the physical and psychological trauma the immigrant or refugee has endured. Compounding the problem is the language problem in case the immigrant is unable to converse in English. There is the need to engage doctors, nurses and other health service workers who understand the immigrants' languages. Multiculturalism Australia is a multicultural society. The land is open to receive skilled workers. There is also a blossoming tourist industry. People emigrating from as far as Sudan also reach Australia to make life for themselves. It is necessary to provide primary health care for recently arrived immigrant groups. Many of these people come from countries that have different models of health care compared to Australia. For some, the concept of private insurance or universal insurance is difficult to understand. These clients of local community centre may not have private health insurance and need to access public health services. It is important to bear in mind that many of these people are highly skilled in their sphere of work. They are capable of integrating with the rest of the population in Australia and making a good life for themselves once their health issues are addressed. There is the issue of culture shock these immigrants may undergo. Addressing their health care will also ensure that they settle down quickly to their new way of life in Australia. Primary Health Care We are concerned with health issues of immigrants and refugees who are vulnerable to poor health and have different and complex health backgrounds as compared to the broader Australian community. Some of them come from very difficult situations and it is unsure if they are getting their health needs met post-immigration in Australia. Basic health issues such as vaccination coverage that health care providers might take for granted as having been attended are known to be major areas of deficiency in refugee populations. There are other factors that contribute to difficulties with accessing appropriate and comprehensive care. These include difficulties with language and literacy, lack of familiarity with health care system, lack of awareness of refugee health issues as well as the fragmented nature of current health care delivery for refugee population. These immigrants need to be vaccinated appropriately and it is not known if they are getting it. It is also not known if they are getting adequate and comprehensive health care. More research is needed to track them down and find out if they are diligently seeking and receiving the health care necessary in the initial stages of their stay in Australia. If they are not receiving the needed health care, it is necessary to find out the reasons why they are not receiving it. Normally, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age within six days of having stayed in Australia. The purpose of these measures is to prevent, protect, control and provide primary health care to prevent spread of diseases in ways that are commensurate with Australian health standards. The concept of primary health care is focused on vigilance to keep track of who is arriving in Australia, where they are staying, and whether they are receiving health care as prescribed by the Australian health office. The primary health care centers must receive notifications of arrivals of immigrants and information about their health care issues. Public health officials need to manage critical information about health conditions in the countries the immigrants are coming from and ensure that they are adequately vaccinated against outbreaks. The health officials need to have comprehensive databases on epidemic intelligence, verification status, laboratory investigation and operational information. They must integrate these databases with available skills, experience and availability of experts to deal with any adverse effects, in case they arise. The idea is to manage health system to prepare for better response and manage resources more effectively. It is necessary to be alert at detection and containment of diseases. There is the possibility of subversive activists attempting to intentionally contaminate the atmosphere with deadly diseases. It is vital to remain vigilant against such attempts. The role of the three levels of Australian government in health care delivery The three levels of Australian government, that is, the federal, the state and the local governments have an integrated role to play in health care delivery. The most visible among these is the local government because they are the first to receive the immigrants and they hold the responsibility to look into the health status of the immigrants. The local authorities are empowered to individually to work together at the regional level. If the local authorities are to continue to work with responsibility they need to be resourced adequately with funds and recognition. The local government needs to be funded appropriately to carry on their duties with enthusiasm and professionalism. However, their share of funds for health care has been on the downside since the early 1990s. In fact, local government in Australia now has the fourth lowest share of taxation among the thirty top industrialized nations. The Australian government collects the lion's share of Australian taxation revenue. It is necessary to share these adequately with the local governments. The local government continues to perform its duties in health care. The demand is rising. This treatment is not fair. The economy, industry, and social apparatus are growing every year. Budget allocation needs to be realistic and funds for servicing and maintaining these, especially health care, must also increase proportionately. In many cases, the services have to be provided by local authorities in view of their proximity. The local authorities have to step in to take charge. This includes buying surgeries and even entire hospitals so that medical services are available to people, and in this instance to immigrants. The local governmental management needs to be formally and constitutionally recognized as they are the expressions of Australia's commitment to receiving immigrants in good health and spirits. On 07 September 2007, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that stated: local government is part of the governance of Australia, serving communities through locally elected councils, that they valued the rich diversity of councils around Australia, reflecting the varied communities they serve, they acknowledged the role of local government in governance, advocacy, provision of infrastructure, service delivery, planning, community development and regulation; they acknowledged the importance of cooperating with and consulting with local government on the priorities of their local communities; they acknowledged the significant Australian Government funding provided to local government to spend on locally determined priorities such as roads and other local government services (A national reform agenda for local government). Interaction in the multidisciplinary team In order to attend immigrants for health care issues health personnel with special knowledge, skills and interests to deliver effective care are needed. This consists of physicians, nurses and other health care workers who possess the desired qualifications and experience to address relevant issues in the field. They form the multidisciplinary team to oversee the immigrants' health issues. Broadly, the immigrants may be from the same country and background. However, the health care issue of each immigrant is unique. Thus, the health care officials must work in proper coordination and responsibility. The elements of good immigrant health care unit are: specialization, that is, the health officials must be aware of the different aspects of health issues that need to be addressed in cases of immigrants; they must have knowledge, interest and enthusiasm in the course of their duties; and they must be willing to go the extra mile to address difficult or unknown symptoms if the need arise. The physicians of the multidisciplinary team will comprise consultants and other career grade physicians and trainees. Their role will vary depending on experience and responsibility. They must have background and training in general medicine, clinical pharmacology, and other streams as is necessary. Their general role is to carry out appropriate responsibilities and in many cases, to lead, coordinate and develop skills and decisions of the multidisciplinary team. There will be an appreciation of the roles of other professionals within the team. The general practitioners have an integral role in the multidisciplinary management of immigrants. They provide particular strengths in problem solving, treatments, and helping those directly involved in attending immigrants such as nurses. Their role is critical in case further investigations are required to be made. They play a pivotal role in the discharge of immigrants into the communities (Roles of the multidisciplinary team). The role of the Enrolled Nurse Enrolled nurses operate under the direct or indirect supervision of registered nurses. The role of nurses, registered or enrolled, in general practice is complementary to the General Practitioners (GPs). Nurses in the health care for immigrants and refugees gain experience in attending to this group. Over time, they get acquainted to the peculiarities of working among this group. Nurses and GPs establish efficient working relationship that enhances the quality of patient care. The potential for GPs to provide more effective health care is increased where nurses work in the practice and can be increased further when registered nurses work at an advanced level and their role is targeted to health priority areas. Studies are made constantly to define the roles of the registered nurses and the enrolled nurses. While registered nurses are qualified to undertake more responsibilities, enrolled nurses are qualified to perform those elements for which they are educationally prepared (The Role of the Nurse). Conclusion The task of overseeing health care for immigrants and refugees can be quite daunting. With diligence and coordination, it is possible to eliminate frustrating elements such as duplication and wrong diagnosis. The use of online coordination is big help in ensuring fast and efficient health care services. The work of health care professionals is noble and worthy of acclaim. It is all the more gratifying when their services are recognized by the general pubic and they are lauded for their humanitarian skills. Sources: A national reform agenda for local government, http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/fra/mobile_devices/ch11s04.html Promoting Refugee Health, http://www.asetts.org.au/Documents/promotingrefhealth.pdf Roles of the multidisciplinary team, http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/64/section6.html The Role of the Nurse, Role and Responsibilities, http://www.otway.asn.au/practice nurse/role.html Victorian Immigrant Health Program (VIHP), http://www.health.vic.gov.au/archive/archive2004/immigranthealth/ Read More