VICDOC Summer 2023 - Magazine - Page 16
IF HEALTHCARE WAS A NATION, IT'S ESTIMATED TO OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN
BE THE FIFTH LARGEST NATIONAL CONTRIBUTOR
PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
TO GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GASES.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGED CARE’S
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER ADVISORY GROUP
Healthcare is a resource intensive, wasteful
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL
system. A change in mindset is needed
HEALTH AND CLIMATE STRATEGY.
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where we reimagine healthcare; sustainable
healthcare is about providing better highquality healthcare. The fundamental
principles of sustainable healthcare include
keeping patients healthy and out of the
healthcare system through improving
preventive and primary healthcare,
empowering patients to be involved in their
own care pathways and looking at how best
to deliver efficient, effective evidence-based
care pathways – value-based care – then
of course decarbonisation of that
high-quality care.
WE NEED TO DECARBONISE OUR ELECTRICITY
GRID IF WE'RE EVER GOING TO SUCCESSFULLY
DECARBONISE HEALTHCARE.
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A decade ago, this was an important
barrier that needed to be addressed.
Now fortunately at both federal and
state levels there's an understanding of
the imperative and plans to do just that.
The cost benefits are also becoming
increasingly more advantageous.
IN 2011 I LED DOCTORS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
AUSTRALIA'S LEGAL CHALLENGE TO A
PROPOSED NEW COAL-FIRED POWER STATION
IN MORWELL, VICTORIA.
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DEA made the challenge on climate
change and local pollution health
grounds with the pro bono assistance of
Morris Blackburn and several barristers;
Environment Victoria also challenged.
I believe it was the first time that the
approval of a coal-fired power plant was
legally challenged on health grounds,
and VCAT’s largest case at that point.
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AMA VI C TO RIA
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The Federal Government committed
to the development of Australia’s first
National Health and Climate Strategy
in late 2022 and formed a National
Health, Sustainability and Climate Unit.
The Strategy’s two main themes will be
mitigation – reducing emissions from
the health system, and highlighting the
health benefits of emission reductions,
and adaptation – responding to the health
impacts of climate change for the sector
and population. I am hopeful that this
initial three-year Strategy will lay the
foundations for further ambitious sector
mitigation and adaptation roadmaps.
I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
WORK WITH DEA AND AMA TO ADVOCATE FOR
A NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE UNIT.
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A national unit is important for
coordination, but also to collaborate and
facilitate state-level, industry, and health
professional leadership and action in this
area. Western Australia and New South
Wales have forged ahead with sustainable
development units that are leading the
development of great initiatives.
Pleasingly, a Victorian unit is now
also in the process of being developed.
