The ASA has provided feedback to the Australian Government’s Private Health Sector Reform Consultation Paper 1, providing feedback on key reforms to the private health sector. The ASA’s submission supports reforms that improve patient access and rigorous review workforce sustainability needs, while emphasising patient safety, evidence-based care, and the maintenance of high specialist standards. Key areas of focus include mental health and maternity services, regional private hospitals, private health insurance reform, and access to safe anaesthesia services. To read the submission, click on the ASA website here. For more information or to read the Consultation Paper, visit the Department’s Webpage here.

The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) has made a submission on informed financial consent (IFC) and fee transparency. In its submission to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s consultation on Fee Transparency in Health Care: Informed Financial Consent and Split Billing Practices, the ASA supported efforts to improve patients’ understanding of healthcare costs before they agree to treatment. The submission cautions however that any reform to IFC must recognise the clinical realities of anaesthesia care. ASA advocacy The ASA submitted that the gold standard for IFC is a written estimate of the anaesthesia fee, including an acceptable