“The Healthscope collapse is a sobering reminder of the risks posed by the corporatisation of essential health services. Outside of public ownership, the only proven model of healthcare delivery that maintains accessibility and affordability is practices that are owned by practitioners” Professor Twomey said.
“When decisions are made in boardrooms far removed from patients, outcomes suffer. Clinical outcomes in the interest of patients demand clinical governance oversight, best undertaken by a practicing clinician.
“This collapse underscores the urgent need to re-centre healthcare around clinician led ownership models and guard against the Americanisation of our healthcare services.”
Pharmacist-owned community pharmacies are the most accessible frontline primary health destination and offers a resilient, patient directed model of care. Unlike corporatised entities, community pharmacies are embedded in the communities they serve. Evidence is now clear that healthcare practices, owned by local healthcare professionals are accountable to patients—not shareholders.
“All Governments should recommit to healthcare models that are owned, operated, and led by clinicians — those who place care above capital.
“Health policy makers, industry and clinicians should heed this stark warning and prevent the further Americanisation of our health system” concluded Professor Twomey.