AHHA in the news

24 JULY 2024

Timely data is key for planning the future of oral health workforce

Harnessing data to improve patient care and prevent hospital-acquired complications

Restorative and wellbeing care is essential for enhancing independence and self-confidence in older Australians and improving their quality of life. In Australia, residential aged care (RAC) residents are not receiving the recommended quantities and types of allied health care to support restorative and wellbeing care. A Policy Issues Brief released by AHHA’s Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research, examines the barriers to providing restorative and wellbeing care for our ageing population.

The Policy Brief, coauthored by Isabelle Meulenbroeks, recipient of the Deeble Institute’s 2024 Jeff Cheverton Memorial Scholarship, and PhD Candidate at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, recommends bringing Australia into line with world leading health systems in delivery of restorative and wellbeing care in RAC.

The Jeff Cheverton Scholarship is supported by North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North Primary Health Networks. The Issues Brief ‘Restorative and wellbeing care in Australian residential aged care facilities’ can be accessed via the AHHA website.

31 JULY 2024

Eye care practitioners key to preventing falls in older adults

Falls are a leading cause of hospitalised injuries and injury-related deaths among older Australians with the causes of these incidents being multifactorial. However, older adults with impaired vision are twice as likely to fall than those without impaired vision. More Australians visit an optometrist than any other non-medical health professional, but we’re not seeing the full benefits this sector can bring when it comes to preventing falls in older adults.

Released by AHHA’s Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research, the Issues Brief ‘Reinforcing the role of eye care practitioners in falls prevention among older adults’, highlights the importance of including eye care practitioners, such as optometrists, as part of a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals working towards fall prevention.

26 SEPTEMBER 2024

2024 Sidney Sax Medal recipient Dr Walid Jammal

AHHA awarded the 2024 Sidney Sax Medal to Dr Walid Jammal, for outstanding contributions to the development and improvement of Australia’s healthcare system.

Dr Jammal’s dedication to quality and safety in health care, along with his expertise in health system policy and reform, has made him an invaluable asset to the healthcare sector, and his decades-long commitment to strengthening primary care in Australia was recognised by this prestigious award.

A well-respected leader within the healthcare system, Dr Jammal has worked with both NSW Health and the Commonwealth Government testing and developing integrated care models. The 2024 Sidney Sax Medal award presentation took place on the 15th of October at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, at a lunch presentation during the John Deeble Lecture and Panel Discussions. Read more on the AHHA website.

17 OCTOBER 2024

Susan McKee appointed Chair – Australian Centre for VBHC Advisory Group

AHHA’s, Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care was pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Susan McKee as Chair of the Centre’s Advisory Group.

As an internationally recognised leader in the implementation of system-wide value-based health care (VBHC), Ms McKee brings to the role a wealth of experience across the hospital and health sector and, more recently, through navigating the achievements and pitfalls of implementing VBHC transformational change over many years at Dental Health Services Victoria.

Throughout her time leading Dental Health Services Victoria’s value-based transformation, Ms McKee has made many connections nationally and internationally that will support the Centre to continue to grow and advance the VBHC movement in Australia.