27 January 2006
Australians of the Year – two nurses and health researcher show the way forward for the nation’s health care
1. Toni Hoffman - greater openness and accountability to patients
2. Sally Goold - better health care for indigenous Australians
3. Ian Frazer - more emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention
Yesterday’s Australia Day announcement that two nurses, both of whom are Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) members, and a health researcher are Australians of the Year for 2006 is excellent timing and comes as the nation considers the future of its health care system and health workforce, the QNU said today.
Queensland nurses Toni Hoffman and Sally Goold are the Local Hero Australian of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year respectively and health researcher, Professor Ian Frazer, is the 2006 Australian of the Year.
QNU secretary, Gay Hawksworth, said each of these people was recognised for achievements in aspects of health care that will be increasingly important in the future.
“Their respective efforts are useful pointers to the way forward as governments and health care providers around the nation consider the recommendations of last week’s Productivity Commission report into the health workforce.
“On behalf of QNU members around the State I would like to congratulate our two nursing colleagues, Sally Goold and Toni Hoffman, and our healthcare colleague, Professor Frazer, on their awards. And when the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) considers the Productivity Commission’s report early next month it should reflect on the achievements of these three people and what they stand for.
“Sally Goold’s work in the area of indigenous nursing and healthcare has set an excellent example for others and there is no doubt Australia needs a lot more Sally Goolds. Hopefully, the health workforce reforms recommended by the Productivity Commission can help us find ways to build on her work and get more people working for the improvement of healthcare outcomes in indigenous communities.
“Toni Hoffman’s courage in exposing the substandard surgical practice of a doctor at Bundaberg Base Hospital has been an inspiration for nurses across Queensland and around the nation. She has reminded us all that the healthcare system and health workers exist for their patients and that the patient’s needs and safety should be at the centre of what we do.
“As we consider the best way to utilise Australia’s health workforce and how to get the most from everyone’s skills and abilities, that principle should be what motivates us.
“All change must be about improving the efficiency and quality of our health workforce, not simply driven by financial considerations or the unjustified scaremongering of certain powerful sections of the workforce. Change must be based on evidence that it is safe and a more effective way of doing things. Toni and the fallout from the stand she took have helped everyone refocus on that fact. She thoroughly deserves this national award.
“Finally, there is a need to place greater emphasis on primary healthcare and disease prevention. The Productivity Commission has recognised this and Ian Frazer’s development of a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer is a wonderful example of how well primary healthcare and disease prevention can work when we devote the necessary resources to it,” Ms Hawksworth said.
The QNU is still considering and analysing the Productivity Commission report – titled Australia’s Health Workforce - and will provide a public statement on the detail of the report prior to the February COAG meeting. | 
