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Health City hosts Forum on Health
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Australia’s health system is set to dramatically shift focus if the presenters and delegates at the 2020 Queensland Forum on Health have their way.
Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Honourable Nicola Roxon joined other expert keynote speakers at Australia’s most exciting new city, Greater Springfield, to discuss the best way forward for Queensland’s health system.
One of the hot topics discussed was the development of greenfield sites for the delivery of health services and incorporating the outcomes of the forum for future planning within such precincts.
Adopting a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach was also a talking point with respect to issues such as use and abuse of alcohol and cigarettes within communities and restricting the sale or marketing of calorie dense food to children.
Other issues canvassed included the challenges associated with closing the gap in health status of the indigenous community, how best to care for those in the community suffering from mental illness and developing strategies to more effectively care for those who have chronic and complex conditions.
Outcomes of the forum were in line with recommendations put forward to Queensland politicians in an open letter by Professor Michael Good AO and other medical professors late last year.
Professor Good’s letter also noted the importance of transitioning away from curative treatments to a more effective and proactive preventative approach.
During the forum, both presenters and delegates demonstrated extreme candour as they explored ideas and suggestions to refocus how the health dollar is spentfrom curative to preventative.
The forum was suitably hosted in Greater Springfield, where health is valued as a cornerstone of the masterplanned city which incorporates a 52 hectare Health City precinct.
Leading by example, Health City Springfield will examine the outcomes of the 2020 Queensland Forum on Health and debate the inclusion of these outcomes in the delivery of this Australia first precinct.
Chairman of Health City Springfield Professor John Hay AC, said Health City Springfield will focus on prevention of disease, health promotion and community based care, with hospital services for patients who cannot be managed in community services.
“At the same time, our unique governance model will ensure the hospital operates in a way that establishes and preserves the vision and encourages innovation,” he said.
“In Greater Springfield we will address the chronic disease epidemic by focusing on health and well being, rather than reacting after people are already ill.
“We believe, if copied in other centres, our plan has the potential to relieve significant pressure on our hospitals.”
Health City Springfield will be a world-class model for governments to base their health reform plans and considering the implementation of the forum outcomes is just the first step.
“Our bold and ambitious plan to be the blueprint for health reform across the country will be influenced by the outcomes of the 2020 Queensland Forum on Health,” Professor Hay said.
“Our intention is to promote active and healthy lifestyles through the prevention strategies and implement measures within the precinct that encourage the adoption of these habits that equate to overall wellbeing.
“Overall Health City Springfield will revolutionise the approach to health care and wellness in Australia providing all the necessary services for the rapidly growing population of Greater Springfield and its surrounds.
“It really will be a one-stop health and wellness destination with everything from oral health care and GP services to an acute hospital and aged care and independent retirement living units.
“The precinct is designed to ensure all people living within Greater Springfield and surrounding areas benefit from safe, sustainable and accessible health care today and for decades to come.”
The plan for Springfield’s ground-breaking Health City has been based on research by world-renowned Harvard Medical International (HMI).
“HMI recommended a Health City concept with a private/public partnership incorporating all forms of health care including primary care, acute care, alternative care, integrated residential including aged care, retirement living and hotels, education, research and E-health, underpinned by a strong focus on training future health workers,” Professor Hay said.
Chairman of Springfield Land Corporation, Maha Sinnathamby, said he was proud that Health City would implement measures to encourage healthy lifestyle habits through the forum outcomes.
“Both the Federal and State Government understand the demand for health services in Australia is rising much faster than the rate of population growth because of our ageing population and an epidemic of chronic disease,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“The so-called ‘lifestyle’ diseases such as diabetes are affecting younger members of our community and they will live with the consequences of their condition for longer than ever before.
“In addition, Australia’s workforce is ageing and this is placing even more demands on health services, particularly in rural and regional areas. Eighty per cent of the cost of health care is now spent on 20% of the population.
“Health City Springfield will place health and wellness care and the individuals that need it, side-by-side.”
Greater Springfield’s Health City, which will be two and half times the size of the Royal Brisbane Hospital complex, is based on a set of key principles to ensure services are:
• patient and family focused;
• appropriate to community needs;
• accessible as close as possible to where people live, providing they can be delivered safely, effectively and at an acceptable cost;
• fully integrated through effective service coordination and partnerships between providers; and
• designed to be sustainable.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Shaun Rigby
Sequel Communications
P: (07) 3251 8140 or 0438 021 936
E: shaun@sequelcommunications.com.au
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Residential addresses
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| From apartments to family homes and resort-style villas, you won’t be short on choice at Greater Springfield.
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Parks and recreation
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| Get out and about and take advantage of Greater Springfield’s stunning natural surrounds, parks and recreational facilities.
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Education
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| From childcare to tertiary studies and beyond, lifelong learning is catered for at Greater Springfield.
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Healthcare
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Greater Springfield’s designated integrated health and wellness precinct ensures residents are well looked after.
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Business precincts
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An unbeatable location with great customer exposure and within easy reach of all areas, you really can’t get much more central than this.
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Offices
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| Purpose-built and cost-effective workspaces with access to all necessary technology provides your company with everything it needs to get on with the job.
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IT and technology
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| The amount of planning that has gone into Greater Springfield’s technology is mind-blowing, with some big name communications specialists adding to the mix.
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Healthcare
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| An advanced approach to community wellbeing is in place at Greater Springfield, offering some fantastic opportunities for health service providers.
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Education
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| Catering to the needs of the youngest of students through to the most advanced scholars, a full spectrum of educational opportunities will be available.
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Retail
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| With an array of retail styles and spaces available in various precincts and settings, Greater Springfield offers a shopping experience unlike any other.
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A prime position
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| Greater Springfield truly is in a unique setting, with many facilities, services and tourist attractions close by.
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Getting here
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| Access to Greater Springfield couldn’t be simpler and, with road and rail infrastructure improving substantially over the next few years, it’s set to get even easier.
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Our city
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Use our interactive map to take a self-guided virtual tour around the city. Explore the lifestyle and business options available.
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City overview
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| Find out how the dream of two men more than a decade ago has transpired into one of Australia’s most livable and innovative cities.
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Words from the Chairman
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| Hear what the Chairman of Springfield Land Corporation has to say about Greater Springfield’s extraordinary and continued growth.
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City at a glance
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| Check out the facts and figures about Greater Springfield.
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City partners
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| Here’s a look at the many contributors that have left their mark on Greater Springfield.
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About Springfield Land Corporation
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| Springfield
Land Corporation aspires to be a world class organisation creating a
world class masterplanned city
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Our Awards
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| Throughout the years the Greater Springfield project and its related entities has been given various forms of recognition from government and industry bodies.
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