BRUCE SIMMONS

Bruce Simmons has recently retired as a dentist manager with the Northern Territory Oral Health Service in Alice Springs. He enjoyed a career focussed on public health dentistry and Indigenous health care combined with a strong interest in public policy and advocacy.
Current Appointed positions:

Member of AHCRA Executive Committee nominated by the National Rural Health Alliance
National Convenor of Oral Health Special Interest Group of PHAA
Member of the National Oral Health Alliance committee
Member of the Oral Health Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations
Member of the Strategic Advisory Committee of the Australian Dental Council
Convenor of Alice Springs Community Garden

Australian Health Care Reform Alliance

1 day ago

Health and Economic RecoveryThe Public Health Association of Australia has released a document presenting seven key focus areas, with immediate and high impact actions which should be publicly discussed as part of the 2022 federal election campaign, and be implemented by the next Australian government. https://bit.ly/3Gfqq9i ... See MoreSee Less

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Australian Health Care Reform Alliance

2 weeks ago

The Challenge of Equity AHCRA has strongly supported the principles of collaborative healthcare and the inclusion of dental care with a government commitment to the social determinants of health and a strategy of health in all policies. AHCRA sees a need for major reform of our health system to move away from the current fragmented and provider-centred approach to one which delivers more equitable and person-centred care with patient engagement. https://bit.ly/3rucOBCOxfam has published a powerful case for reform, noting that the wealth of the world’s 10 richest men has doubled since the pandemic began. The incomes of 99% of humanity are worse off because of COVID-19. Widening economic, gender, and racial inequalities—as well as the inequality that exists between countries—are tearing our world apart. https://bit.ly/3qCndvKThis is not by chance, but choice: “economic violence” is perpetrated when structural policy choices are made for the richest and most powerful people which causes direct harm to us all, and to the poorest people, women and girls. Oxfam poses the question of post-COVID radically redesign of our economies centred on equality. We can claw back extreme wealth through progressive taxation; invest in powerful, proven inequality-busting public measures; and boldly shift power in the economy and society. If we are courageous, and listen to the movements demanding change, we can create an economy in which nobody lives in poverty —and a society in which inequality no longer kills. A society built on true Australian values. ... See MoreSee Less

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Australian Health Care Reform Alliance

2 weeks ago

ACOSS Calls for national actionDr Cassandra Goldie, chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has written an open letter to the National Cabinet, recommending 42 specific policies and the establishment of a “Civil Society Rapid Response” group, including welfare agencies, unions, business and health experts, to advise governments. https://bit.ly/3Id6lBwThe letter to national cabinet asks for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and all of the premiers and chief ministers to progress much-needed policy initiatives. https://bit.ly/3qGAp2VThe letter explicitly rejects the re-establishment of the National Covid-19 Co-ordination Commission – later the National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board – which was widely criticised for lacking transparency, being unrepresentative and a de facto lobby group for business, including fossil fuel interests. AHCRA supports the principles outlined in the ACOSS letter. To improve national health and wellbeing, AHCRA believes we must build on our existing system of universal healthcare with the focus on social systems and economic frameworks based on evidence & policies that embody equity and the concept of 'health in all policies'. https://bit.ly/3KrFXGiThe Covid-19 crisis has affected every community and individual but some much harder than others. The pandemic has dramatically shown how the social determinants leverage chronic health issues and social inequities. If you are poor, you are more likely to die or suffer severely.Speaking to The Saturday Paper, Dr Goldie said “We are in a deep crisis and those with the least suffer the most.” https://bit.ly/3qxwntxGoldie is scathing about the lack of planning and accountability that has contributed to the crisis. “Unless governments take responsibility for managing this distressing situation,” she warns, “we’ll see an increasingly confused, stressed and divided community dealing with devastating consequences.”ACOSS is a national advocate for action to reduce poverty and inequality and the peak body for the community services sector in Australia. Its membership comprises eight state and territory Councils which represent thousands of front-line community agencies. https://www.acoss.org.au/about-acoss/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Australian Health Care Reform Alliance

3 weeks ago

AHCRA supports this call on the grounds of equity and ethicsPHAA and AMA media release: https://bit.ly/3pQNFRTAlso read the CHF media release: https://bit.ly/3mZ9Za0Let's be clear - government provided tests are not free but are paid for by taxpayer funds, with the goal of protecting the health and wellbeing of the whole population, not just protecting and fostering the interests of some. Is that principle of equity not a basic tenet of Australian values?The PHAA and Australian Medical Association have released a joint statement urging the Australian Government to ensure access to free Rapid Antigen Tests for all, as a matter of equity."The people most at risk from the pandemic are often least able to afford RATs, if they can find any," says PHAA CEO Terry Slevin."There’s no time for piecemeal measures, like targeted subsidies which might be difficult to implement. We need to harness the goodwill in the community to use RAT kits and free access for everybody," says AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid.Read the media release here: https://bit.ly/3pQNFRT ... See MoreSee Less

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Australian Health Care Reform Alliance

4 weeks ago

A lesson in morality and ethics from a vaccine development team ... See MoreSee Less

'Vaccine For World' Gets Emergency Use Authorization In India; Texas Children's Hospital Grants Non-Exclusive License To Biological E - Health Policy Watch

healthpolicy-watch.news

Vaccine equity advocates see huge potential in India’s decision to grant an emergency use license to CORBEVAX™, an open-license vaccine dubbed “The World’s

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Australian Health Care Reform Alliance

4 weeks ago

Medical interventions and social factorsThe Australian health Care reform Alliance (AHCRA) has often drawn attention to the importance if the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). https://bit.ly/3EJmT2dEyal Oren, Professor of Epidemiology at the San Diego State University writing in The Conversation has written on the topic as it applies to the pandemic in America. https://bit.ly/3qJrAnBThe central question – whether medical interventions or social factors make the biggest impact on infectious diseases – remains relevant in the current pandemic.Stay safe, maintain distance, wear masks, follow guidelines and get vaccinated. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Australian Health Care Reform Alliance (AHCRA) is a coalition of peak health groups working towards a better health system for Australia’s future.