Uni action on Aus health workforce crisis
Experts at two leading Australian universities warn of a looming crisis in patient care in Australia if action is not taken to address health workforce sustainability.
The University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland have launched the Australian Health Workforce Institute (AHWI) to address Australia’s drastic shortage of health workers.
“This Institute will promote health workforce research and work closely with Commonwealth and State jurisdictions to ensure a sustainable health workforce in Australia,” said interim director of AHWI and executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of Queensland, Professor Peter Brooks.
“Our aim is to deliver Australia health workforce sustainability by 2020,” he said.
The Australian situation reflects an international trend. A recent World Health Organisation report predicts a shortfall of 4.25 million health workers to maintain existing services over the next decade. With the increasing demand expected to double health spending in the US to $4.1 trillion by 2016.
The Institute website – www.ahwi.edu.au – will include a database of health workforce expertise and a forum featuring cutting-edge articles on health workforce issues.
