Challenges and Solutions in Australia's Health Sector

Running Head: CHALLENGES IN HEALTH SECTOR OF AUSTRALIA AND SOLUTION 1
CHALLENGES IN HEALTH SECTOR OF AUSTRALIA AND SOLUTION
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CHALLENGES IN HEALTH SECTOR OF AUSTRALIA AND SOLUTION 2
Although Australia’s health and welfare sector has been ranked among the top health
systems internationally as implicated by the country’s continuing low rates of infant mortality
and average life expectancy, the sector is currently under threats of being stretched by the aging
population, the outmoded organizations of health services and the increasing burden of chronic
illness (Duckett & Willcox, 2015). Also, the inequalities between the most and least advantaged
citizens have persisted, and which are sentinels to remind the federal government that there is no
room for inertia in restructuring the health sector of the country.
It is a fact beyond doubt that the health sector must focus on preventing and managing
chronic illnesses in a better way than before. This will only be realized by targeting those
populations affected by the calamity largely like the Indigenous communities, instituting better
links between primary, rehabilitative and acute services, and initiating innovative approaches of
providing health care services to remote and rural areas (Graves & Zheng, 2014). There has been
little or no flexibility at all to achieve that in a hamstrung system focusing on fee-for-service and
secluded approach to acute care, workforce shortages and growing out-of-pocket costs for
patients.
Here, I present some of the pressing challenges in the Australian health and welfare
programs that require national attention. I also propose some solutions which can be put into
place and help restore the sector back to its past glory. While the list of health challenges facing
the incoming federal government may not seem definitive and the challenges will have to be
addressed if the Australian citizens are to get improved health services in times of need and when
they need them with ease and affordable (Harvie & Newnham, 2018).