Leadership on environmental issues drives value in healthcare

Thursday, May 27, 2021

‘The severe weather events in recent years have shown us that health systems are at the forefront of responding to the impacts of climate change, but health systems too have a carbon footprint that contributes to climate change and must be addressed,’ says Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association Chief Executive Adj Prof Alison Verhoeven.

An issues brief, Transforming the health system for sustainability: environmental leadership through a value-based health care strategy, published today by the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association’s (AHHA) Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research examines how a value-based health care approach can support health systems to transform for sustainability.

The brief provides recommendations for a value-based strategic framework that supports the transformation to sustainable models of health care.

‘The holistic perspective provided by value-based health care can deliver a framework that is able to support transformation towards more sustainable healthcare models – provided we achieve a definition of value that encompasses all dimensions of sustainability,’ says Adj Prof Verhoeven.

‘Understanding the complexity of climate change and related health issues and systems challenges must be considered as an essential component of Australia’s climate change strategy. This will require strong leadership within the health sector, supported by innovative, evidence-based and practice informed strategies that support the sustainability of a healthy Australia.

‘Transforming the health system for sustainability must also consider the systemic and complex nature of climate change as a determinant of health. ‘

The brief recommends the following:

  • Environmental sustainability be encompassed in the national vision and strategy for outcomes-focused, value-based health care in Australia
  • Strong leadership is demonstrated across the health system through strong cross-sectoral and inter-agency partnerships; with a commitment to achieve net zero emissions
  • Data-driven improvements in health outcomes of individuals and populations are enabled

‘Action to reduce the carbon footprint of the healthcare system must be a key priority to ensure the future prosperity of populations and the planet,’ says Adj Prof Verhoeven.

Transforming the health system for sustainability: environmental leadership through a value-based health care strategy is available online. More information on AHHA and the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research is available at ahha.asn.au

The AHHA’s Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care will be co-hosting the first National Value-Based Health Care Conference this week with the Continuous Improvement in Care Cancer Project. For more information on the conference visit: ciccancer.com/vbhcconf. For more information on the Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care visit: valuebasedcareaustralia.com.au.

 

Media enquiries:  Kylie Woolcock, Policy Director, AHHA

0410 625 830