The Concept of Equity of Access in the Australian Healthcare System

The term equity relates to giving someone what they need to be successful (Duckett & Wilcox 2015). In this case access to the healthcare system to successfully return to health and equality is being treated fairly and the same as others. The nature of Indigenous ‘philosophical thinking’ has been misunderstood by the health care system, this has contributed to poor outcomes with the system thus leading them to not feel like they have the appropriate access to the Australian healthcare system. These cultural barriers have impacted the importance of identity to Indigenous Australians who are entering the primary health care system (Baum 2015). Equity is required to make sure the cultural aspects of their identity and respected but the treatment required can still be given at an affective level. A way to make the health system more equitable for Aboriginals is the use of interpreters to ease communication between nurses and/or health professionals and indigenous patients; this making the experience much easier for all parties involved. The lack of equity and equality in Australian health care impact whether or not Aboriginals feel it is necessary to visit health clinics, whether it be hospitals or to a doctors

The Australian health care system is founded on the concept of equity of access. Discuss this statement with relation to the concepts of effectiveness and efficiency and any interrelationships that may exist.

“The findings suggest that universal health care systems such as Australia's, with mixed public/private funding and delivery allowing for 'choice' in heath care, may actually perpetuate health inequity. While such systems might ensure equity for patients with AMI, where guidelines for treatment are relatively well established, this is not the case for care of patients with angina, where high technology health care may be less urgent and more discretionary.” (Clements, Kelman, & Korda, 2009)

Global health system comparison between Australia and England The World Health organisation (WHO) defines a healthcare system as a system “whose primary purpose is to promote, restore and/or maintain health” through quality services and financial support (WHO 2000). Healthcare system are dependent on many factors and can vary from country to country. Australia’s healthcare system integrates a two-tiered model where governance, coordination and regulation are a combined effort of all levels of government and the organisation and delivery of healthcare services are divided amongst both public and private sectors (AIHW 2016). Australia provides universal care where the residents have access to care without having to worry about the cost (WHO

Australia's health care system is funded and managed by the national, state and local governments. Medicare, which is Australia's universal healthcare system has the aim of improving the access to healthcare for all

With all the talk about Australia's health system being untenable, it's useful to step back and look at the Australian health system in an international context.

In regard to the recognized Australian healthcare system, it is clear that numerous government-supported services across the country provide primary health care to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. This is despite the fact that less than 40 percent of these services have medical coverage (White et al, 2016). There are numerous health clinics and centers in metropolitan areas. The ratio, as a matter of fact, is 400 nurses for every 100,000 people. In other words, it is double the level of nurse distribution in rural areas in which Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders reside. On the same note, research has established that the healthcare system in Australia fails to offer equal healthcare quality and access to Aboriginals and Torres

An individuals access to health services can have a large impact on their health. Their access to services in often determined by their geographical location, weather they live in a urban or rural location. People living in urban areas may have much easier access to health services and may be more educated on how to use them. Unlike people living in rural or remote locations, who may have to travel a long way to reach health services, therefore impacting on their overall health.

Within today’s society, every person has a right to access safe, cost effective, quality and evidenced based health care within Australia (ACOSQHC , 2015).

Health care is a significant aspect in every country that wants to maintain and grow. Without it, a nation would struggle to develop or even withstand. Therefore the types of health care systems a country chooses can be very critical and will also affects the performance of the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Australia is ranked fourth in healthcare (WHO, 2013) and is broadly regarded in high effectiveness and efficiency (Medicare Australia, 2010). This is all resulted from combining responsibilities from both public and private sector in health services. Allowing Australia to offers a variety ways to fund and provide regulatory mechanism within the healthcare system. However there are still major challenges in the funding and delivery of health care that Australia still has to meet.

Unfortunately, in some countries like mine, the access to the basic health is a privilege. In deontological manner, the access to the basic health care implies the health care providers to deliver services regardless of the opinions and circumstances of those who provide the services.

The healthcare system is very important in maintaining the health status of various individuals. The quality of health care provided to patients, is relevant in determining the outcome of the patient’s health care.

Funded strategies to address these problems are currently lacking and should be developed. The healthcare services infrastructures can be funded by the Government and ensure all these funded are made available to all the aboriginal people. Increase funding for Aboriginal people must remain priority and support for the building blocks of good health such as awareness and availability of healthy lifestyles should be delivered within a government structure for Aboriginal community (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011).

Even though the health care in Australian government is made up of a universal health care system that is funded solely through a taxation program, this country is faced with medical concern from the population of obesity, mental illness, and other issues dealing with chronic diseases. Through various research, studies have shown Australians to rank as the third for living the longest life expectancy in the OECD than other countries, less than that of the United States. Consequently, several concerns throughout the decades have plagued Australia’s population and many organizations including the government have put forth an effort to spread awareness in lowering the mortality rates within the cause. Thus, the goals are evident that by providing a advancement of knowledge and support to those individuals in need through study and diligence it is possible to achieve the goals of helping others that are in need and through health promotion.

Access to health care is an important aspect of health and development in general. According to the WHO, access to healthcare is an important measure for the performance of a well-functioning health system and economic development33. It constitutes the defining element of primary health care, of the 1978 Alma Ata declaration30(in the quote below), the universal coverage in 201231 and sustainable development agenda in 201525.