Christians for Community recognizes that a “healthy” nation requires an efficient and affordable Health system for all Australians. We will campaign vigorously for increased funding to our hospitals and reducing waiting times across the nation and a better funding health. The Health System must not permit the Government to direct the medical practitioners as to how to deliver health care, such health care delivery must always be independent from government.

See details of some significant concerns at:  https://christiansforcommunity.com.au/policies/polices-background/health-services-issues-in-nsw/

POLICY:

• The C4C will work with the Area Health Services to ensure their hospitals are managed by local hospital boards so that communities get better health services and better value for their money.

• The C4C calls for Urgent funding for Aged Care Facilities. It is essential to have high-quality care and to ensure registered nurses are on duty at all times. The C4C calls for adequate funding to provide for 24/7 registered nurses in all aged care facilities. As well the C4C will call on the Federal Government to assist in greater funding for In Home Age Care Services

• The C4C will ensure that urgent funding is allocated to assisting Children and families suffering from Juvenile Arthritis across the country. There are approximately 6,000 children living with arthritis in NSW alone.

• The C4C will work with the pharmaceutical industry to provide more affordable medication for all Australians and to restore transparency and confidence to the process by which medicines are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

• The C4C will take real action to treat and better manage mental health issues with a view to recovery from the illness wherever possible. We wish to move on to more effective programs than the tokenism of the AUOK program

• The C4C supports use of medical cannabis where proven successful for good medical outcomes via rigorous testing – controls must be in place to prevent illegal use.

• The C4C will work towards more coordination at local level between local providers, rehabilitation etc.

• The C4C will work towards providing affordable basic dental under Medicare.

• The C4C will work towards bringing more medical and dental care to rural Australians.

• The C4C will promote more sport and other healthy activities, especially to youth to help combat obesity etc.

• The C4C will push to introduce bans on “junk food” advertising targeting minors and support the promotion of healthy activities such as sport etc.

• The C4C will seek to increase the ratio of hospital beds to the population to a more sustainable level so that advised benchmarks of delivery of health care services are not only met but are surpassed.