The recently established National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) announced today it is calling for submissions to help the Commission design Australia’s future health system.

The NHHRC is seeking input from the public, frontline health workers, professional and consumer groups, and other interested people and organisations.

A dedicated NHHRC website and an 1800 number are now available to collect ideas, innovations and suggestions to make the Australian health system better.

Chair of the NHHRC, Dr Christine Bennett, said today that the Commission will engage with the community and health professionals as it works to design a health system that provides what people and families need and, importantly, which is geared to serve the Australian community well into the future.

“We need to hear from the people who use the health system and the people who work in it. There are great ideas out there and we would like to know about them,” Dr Bennett said.

The Commission has developed draft principles for the Australian health system and is also inviting comment on these. The draft principles are available on the Commission’s website.

Dr Bennett said there would be several stages of the NHHRC engagement program over the life of the Commission to link with key reporting dates.

The NHHRC intends to submit an interim report in November 2008. The final report of the Commission will be completed in mid 2009.

Individuals and organisations are encouraged to make submissions to the NHHRC by email to talkhealth@nhhrc.org.au. Submissions may also be made by mail to PO Box 685 Woden ACT 2606, or by calling 1800 017 533.

The 10 member NHHRC was established by the Australian Government in February 2008 as a national independent body to deliver a clear, practical plan setting out the building blocks necessary to create an improved health system for the long term.

Submissions will be accepted from now until the end of May. For further details including the terms of reference of the Commission, the principles and a guide to making submissions, please visit the website at www.nhhrc.org.au.