Health Minister expected to respond to The New Frontier report ‘in the next few weeks’

Dr Mike Freelander MP, Federal Member for Macarthur and Chair of Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport and Melissa McIntosh MP, Member for Lindsay and Deputy Chair of Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport delved into pressing issues related to healthcare and the medtech sector during a panel discussion led by Matthew Versi, Director of External Affairs and Communications, Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) at the Annual Conference yesterday.

Dr Mike Freelander emphasised the pressing need for an overhaul of Australia’s healthcare system.

“The medical institutions that have been the bedrock of my career, such as Medicare, were developed decades ago. We have transformative technologies like AI in radiology that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, but equitable access to advanced healthcare remains a struggle, particularly in rural areas,” explained Dr Freelander.

He highlighted the importance of acknowledging the complexities of the healthcare system, emphasising that the challenges cannot be resolved in a single budget cycle. He also touched on the persistent issue of cost-shifting in a federated healthcare system, reiterating the need for healthcare equity through a multifaceted approach.

“As a clinician, I still witness people in metropolitan Sydney struggling to access primary care. We are fortunate to have a government committed to change, but we must address these issues one step at a time, recognising the need for a 21st-century healthcare system,” added Dr Freelander.

Melissa McIntosh MP, focusing on the importance of bipartisan collaboration, highlighted the dynamic nature of medical technology advancements in contrast to the slower pace of governmental processes.

“The Opposition can become government very quickly, and we play a critical role in policy development. We must strike a balance between the rapidly evolving medical technology landscape and the slow pace of government. Industry must engage with both government and opposition to address pressing healthcare challenges,” said Ms McIntosh.

Ms McIntosh, who is also a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care, and Sport, expressed her concerns about the protracted implementation of inquiry recommendations.

“We have an important role in making inquiry recommendations that can help change lives, but then it’s up to the Health Minister to to make a decision about those recommendations. People that have put a lot of work into those inquiries and are really passionate about it, find that it takes too long,” she expressed.

Discussing The New Frontier report and the 31 recommendations from the House of Reps inquiry unveiled in November 2021, Dr Freelander highlighted “We received over 400 submissions, and the report is notably complex. I’m grateful that the Health Minister recognises its significance and has committed to providing a response in the next few weeks.”

The conversation then shifted to the topic of Australian manufacturing and its pivotal role in securing the nation’s healthcare future. Dr Freelander underscored the importance of identifying specific niches where Australian companies can excel within the medical technology sector. Ms McIntosh echoed these sentiments and stressed that Australian manufacturing was not just an option but a necessity for the nation’s sovereignty and global capabilities.

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