An expert panel of academics, healthcare professionals and former bureaucrats will guide a landmark inquiry into the NSW health system to address workplace procurement and pressures as well as a growing demand for preventative and out-of-hospital care.
The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare has been examining escalating costs and wastage in the NSW health system and how to make better use of staff and funding.
Since its first hearing in November last year, the inquiry has received more than 238 submissions from healthcare services, clinician organisations and other stakeholders, totalling more than 5300 pages.
An expert advisory panel comprising academics, clinicians and healthcare professionals will be brought in to assist the inquiry led by Commissioner Richard Beasley SC, the Commission said in a statement on Sunday.
The new 20-member panel will meet on Wednesday to discuss key themes ranging from clinician training to the impact of privatisation on care.
Members include former federal Department of Health secretary Professor Stephen Duckett, UTS Distinguished Professor of Health Economics Jane Hall, as well as health research and policy academics.
Initial evidence points to a growing demand for preventative and out-of-hospital care, potentially requiring changes to current funding models, the Commission said.
Counsel assisting the commission Ed Muston SC told a November hearing the state's ageing population was an overarching theme raised in inquiry submissions.
The changing demographic of NSW's population meant people were living longer meaning there is a shift towards age-related chronic conditions needing treatment.
Workforce pressures as a result of low pay rates compared to other states and overseas and spiralling treatment costs are expected to be a key theme in upcoming hearings.
Asked if the inquiry’s projected cost of $15.7 million would be revised due to the addition of the panel, a government spokesperson said there would be no change to costs or time frames.
Public hearings will continue on February 19 in Sydney, focused on staff procurement practices and new models of care, and regional hearings will follow in March.
The special commission, which will have royal commission-style powers, was announced by NSW Health Minister Ryan Park last year and described as a "once-in-a-generation" look at the troubled system.
