Inaugural Conference:
Auckland NZ, July 2010
Theme: "In Our Hands – Transforming Health Systems through Health Care Networks"
600 delegates
The WHCN inaugural Conference in Auckland in 2010 brought together peak organisations involved in networked primary health care and general practice with policy makers, strategists, funders, purchasers and health service professionals to share information and ideas, and learn from a panel of international speakers.
Target audiences
The three principal target audiences for the Conference were:
- clinical, managerial and community leaders from organised primary health care organisations around the world, primarily PHOs and IPAs in New Zealand, members of the General Practice Network in Australia, and equivalent ‘meso’ level organisations in Europe, the UK, North America, and the Asia-Pacific, for example
- policy makers, strategists, researchers, planners, funders and purchasers, and health service professionals – GPs, nurses, allied health professionals who work within networks
- consumers of health services, with an initial focus on national representative bodies
Outcomes for delegates who attended the Conference include:
- A clearer understanding of the common challenges facing health systems
- A valuable learning and self development opportunity as part of a dynamic and responsive international event
- A better understanding of how to harness the value and power of health care networks to drive change
- Identification of the opportunity to be a part of a movement which can work to improve the world’s health through shared learning
- Opportunity to identify local solutions to global and local health problems, to reorient health systems and to have a sense of ownership in contributing to the implementation of those solutions
- Unique and enriching opportunity to mix, mingle and network with people from other parts of the world who face similar challenges and want to work together on adaptable solutions
Environment
Globally, health care renewal is on the agenda. In late 2008, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released Primary Health Care: Now More Than Ever – a call for renewal of the commitment to primary health care around the world. WHO has identified four reform domains necessary to refocus health systems towards health for all:
- universal coverage reforms to improve health equity, social justice and inclusion
- service delivery reforms to make health systems people centred
- leadership reforms to make health authorities more reliable and responsive
- public policy reforms to promote and protect the health of communities
Within the Western Pacific, the Regional Office of WHO (WPRO) is backing this global direction and has published the Strategic Plan for Strengthening Health Systems in the WHO Western Pacific Region (http://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/DB6927F6-7697-4EAF-80D4-067CFB7757B6/0/StratPlan2.pdf). WPRO will be approached to support and possibly co-badge the conference.
Echoing this global direction, health care reform continues to unfold in both Australia and New Zealand, with the election platforms of relatively new governments in both countries driving the policy and operating environment. In Australia, three major health reviews (National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission; External Reference Group for the Primary Health Care Strategy; and the National Preventative Health Taskforce) reflect consensus on key reforms such as patient enrolment, financing reforms to improve continuity of care, efficiency and to close service gaps, the introduction of regional primary health care organisations and the realisation of a health promotion and chronic disease prevention agenda:
‘One of the most important (actions to take) is to build a strong, robust and efficient primary health care system – that is, providing better access to frontline care through our GPs and related community care services’ Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, July 2009
In New Zealand, there is bipartisan support for the 2001 Primary Health Care Strategy but a new clinically led approach to its implementation. "Better, Sooner, More Convenient" sets out contemporary principles and proposals for health reform, and a recent Expression of Interest (EOI) called for proposals to implement innovative new models of care on a large scale flexibly utilizing global budgets that merge existing funding streams. Underpinning these recent developments in New Zealand is fresh commitment to clinical leadership in primary health care, a concession that this has languished: stronger and more direct clinician involvement means more service and better quality.
‘We want to achieve the quality improvements side of the Primary Health Care Strategy – the multidisciplinary teams, co-location, and better integration between primary and secondary. We want to fill-in the missing links…A package of new models of care is proposed to accelerate change in primary care. This includes the establishment of multiple Integrated Family Health Centres …and shifting some hospital services closer to home…’ New Zealand Health Minister Tony Ryall, October 2009
The Conference provided a timely opportunity to explore the implications and implementation of these directions, and to generate action to drive transformational change in health care systems.
The theme was chosen because it builds on current health reform agenda and reflects the view that organised united health care networks have the power within their collective hands to lead transformational change in health care. Health care networks can be part of an international phenomenon which collectively tackle global health challenges and come up with local health solutions. They can use their energy and knowledge to contribute to improvements in the health and wellbeing of the people of the world.
It also reflects the international evidence that systems with vibrant primary health care services, underpinned by strong clinical leadership and the active engagement of GPs, nurses and other primary health care providers, have much better health outcomes for lower cost.
In particular, a clear take-out message from the Conference is that sustainable solutions which are relevant to solving the problems of the future transcend existing policy boundaries and can be driven from within the health care network sector by dynamic, organised and energised individuals who are committed to leading change.
WHCN's goal:
To unite the world’s health care networks and work together on sustainable solutions which help improve the health and wellbeing of the world’s population. This goal will be achieved by:
- generating commitment, energy and passion
- promoting world-wide leadership and partnerships
- driving transformational change
In addition, marketing of the Conference focused on the fact that this is the Inaugural World Health Care Networks Conference – the first major event in the start of an international movement which can make a real and lasting difference in the health and lives of the people of the world.
2010 program
1. Growing leadership
- Identifying and supporting the leaders of today and tomorrow to inspire change and drive transformation
Take out message: “It’s my job to think differently and lead others in change.”
2. Building relationships
- Building partnerships which result in better experiences and better outcomes for consumers, clinicians, funders, policy makers and society in general
Take out message: “It’s my job to build relationships with consumers and health professionals to ensure a better experience, better outcomes and overall increased satisfaction with the health system among stakeholders.”
3. Creating sustainable systems
- Developing the networks, teams, systems and other tools required to ensure sustainable, high performing health systems
Take out message: “It’s my job to contribute as a member of networks and teams to develop sustainable systems that are built around best meeting the needs of the communities and individuals we are here to serve.”