How can alternative funding models promote innovative care?

Jane Hall

Distinguished Professor of Health Economics and Director, Strategy in the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation at the University of Technology Sydney.

Summary

Professor Hall will provide an overview of traditional funding methods for health care and their incentives, and the motivations for reform particularly around value based health care.  She will consider recent experience in Australia and discuss the challenges in changing funding to improve innovation and value.

Biography

Jane Hall is Distinguished Professor of Health Economics and Director, Strategy in the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation at the University of Technology Sydney. She received the National Health and Medical Research Council Outstanding Contribution Award in 2017. She was named as one of Australian Financial Review/Westpac 100 Women of Influence in 2016. She is one of the most high profile health economists in Australia with an international reputation built on both research contribution and policy analysis. She has been an active member of numerous committees and working parties and is currently a member of the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority. 

Her current work is focused on health reform particularly on funding issues. She led the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute funded Centre for Research Excellence in the Finance and Economics  of Primary Care (2012-16); and is now Chief Investigator on an NHMRC funded Centre for Research Excellence on value based care. Over her career, she has worked across many areas of health economics, including health technology assessment, measurement of quality of life, end of life care, and health workforce.

Richard Colbran

Chief Executive Officer, NSW Rural Doctors Network

Summary

This session will include an outline of NSW Rural Doctors Network’s experience in working in partnership with Western NSW, Far Western and Murrumbidgee NSW Local Health Districts (LHDs), Western NSW and Murrumbidgee Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in the development of the Collaborative Care Project. The Collaboration works with five rural communities in NSW facing challenges in service access and sustainability to develop effective primary health care service and workforce models. Implementation involves the engagement of community members and health sector stakeholders in a community development approach, guided by RDN’s Primary Health Workforce Planning Framework. The Framework contains six priority action areas: recruitment, retention, addressing need, strong partnerships, professional development and training and strengthening coordination.

Biography

Richard Colbran has held senior executive roles in health and social services charity organisations for close to 20 years. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of NSW Rural Doctors Network. He is an experienced senior executive of State and National non-profit organisations. Richard is a strong advocate for social leadership and has a professional interest in building contemporary business practices of NFPs to enhance the sector’s impact and benefit for communities. He has a commercial background in strategy, partnerships and program management and values multi-agency and community collaboration that brings together strengths and competency of each partner for mutual benefit.

Prior to RDN, Richard was Business Director at Royal Far West and played lead roles the charity’s 90th birthday celebrations, the establishment of RFW’s National Paediatric Telecare Services and development of the $35 million Centre for Child Health and Learning on RFW’s iconic Manly beachfront site. He also served as National Commercial Director of the Australian Drug Foundation and led significant programs such as Good Sports (NSW) and the Australian Defence Force Alcohol Management Strategy.

Nick Shaw

Chief Executive Officer, Alpine Health 

Summary

Nick Shaw will discuss the Alpine Health model as a multipurpose service model, including an outline of the model, sustainability challenges and benefits for the local community.

Biography

Nick Shaw has worked across the social and community sector for the bulk of his professional working life.  Much of this time has been in health environments including his current role as Chief Executive Officer with Alpine Health.  Alpine Health is recognised as Australia’s largest Multi-Purpose Health Service and one of the more innovative health services, actively pursuing diverse strategies to support acute hospital, residential aged care, community health, and training and education activities.  Senior roles across social housing and local government have contributed a broad perspective and understanding of community focused service delivery, business management and workforce management, providing valuable insight into his current role.

Nick is passionate about the role of workforce in the provision of health service and has been instrumental in the establishment of Alpine Health’s education and training business the Alpine Institute.

Nick is actively engaged in his local community and through this engagement recognises the intrinsic connection between community, health and wellbeing.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Business from Charles Sturt University. 

Dr Gabrielle O’Kane

Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Alliance

Biography

Gabrielle O’Kane is the CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra and Charles Sturt University. She is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian with 35-plus years working in rural and regional private and public practice in NSW and is also an academic and researcher.

Prior to joining the Alliance, she was responsible for commissioning and governing drug and alcohol services for the South East NSW Primary Health Network, Coordinaire.