To support our work, we have established a range of working groups and committees which are focused on particular priority issue areas or areas that are of particular relevance to a sub-section of the allied health community we represent.
AHPARR was established in recognition of the need to understand and support the unique requirements of the allied health professionals working in non-urban locations. AHPA’s Member Organisations currently have over 14,000 rural and remote allied health professional members. AHPARR consists of representatives from a broad range of allied health professions, each of whom works in a rural and remote area. The committee provides AHPA with dedicated rural and remote allied health representation and supports AHPA’s voice around rural and remote issues at a national level. The committee is interested in allied health practice related to rural and remote services and advises AHPA on relevant issues.
Allied health professionals are key providers of a wide range of services for people experiencing disability. The NDIS is driving large scale changes to the way disability services are delivered and funded and its implementation is significantly impacting many allied health providers. The AHPA NDIS Working Group consists of representatives from each allied health profession active in the delivery of services for people with disabilities and aims to provide a strong link to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), governments and other key stakeholders. Its focus is to support allied health providers of NDIS-funded services and to advocate where necessary to ensure allied health providers are not disadvantaged by the Scheme. The Working Group also aims to work cooperatively to provide submissions to consultations related to the rollout and development of the NDIS.
The Australian Government is currently undertaking a large scale review of the Medicare Benefits Schedule. AHPA and its members believe that there are significant issues with the current rebate structure, which results in reduced access to private allied health services for people that cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket costs as well as reduced incomes for providers. The AHPA MBS Working Group has been established to collect evidence and build a case for reform of allied health MBS items, focused particularly around increased rebates and annual service limits under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program. The Working Group consists of representatives from each allied health profession that provides services under the CDM program.
AHPA is actively engaged in work to support the use of digital health technology by the allied health sector. This includes the use of clinical information systems, secure messaging and My Health Record. To ensure AHPA appropriately understands the issues faced by allied health practitioners in their use of digital health technology, AHPA has convened a ‘Think Tank’ consisting of representatives from a broad range of allied health member associations and supported by practitioner representatives from private practice. The group works to identify activities to support practitioners and to undertake advocacy activities with government and other stakeholders in support of the allied health sector. The group recognises the significant challenges faced by practices in the absence of the support and funding provided to other primary care providers.
To contact these committees or to provide feedback, please contact [email protected].
AHPA is a member of several national bodies that are relevant to our member associations and their individual members.
In addition to our advocacy work through these organisations, AHPA is also frequently invited to participate in government committees and advisory bodies on issues related to the allied health sector.
The Australian Allied Health Leadership Forum was established in 2013 as a collaboration between allied health organisations working together on issues of national importance to the allied health workforce and the Australian public. The Forum’s membership includes Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), Services for Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH), National Allied Health Advisors Committee (NAHAC), the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences and AHPA.
AHPA is a member of the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) through our AHPA Rural and Remote Committee (AHPARR). The NRHA consists of 44 national organisations working to improve the health and wellbeing of the 7 million Australians living in rural and remote areas. Members of NRHA represent consumer groups, health professional organisations, service providers, health educators and the Indigenous health sector.
The National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) comprises 54 national organisations in aged care, representing consumer groups, providers, unions and health professionals, working together to determine a more positive future for aged care in Australia. Alliance members are concerned about the adequacy of aged care funding and the future sustainability of services
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) represents the interests of Australian healthcare consumers. CHF advocates for safe, quality, timely healthcare for all Australians, supported by accessible health information and systems. CHF member organisations reach thousands of Australian health consumers across a wide range of health interests and health system experiences.
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