Ah yes, it’s that time again. Bring on the pre-election speeches, the empty promises and overall cycle of disappointment that is inherent in recent decades of Australian politics, particularly when you work within or access in any way shape or form our current Healthcare system. Whilst I will concede that we have a few more urgent care centers and our nurses and carers within aged care have all received well deserved pay rises, the rest of the previous election promises seem to have not materialized and our healthcare system continues to hang on by just a thread, as do the fantastic people that work tirelessly within it.

I am proud to say that I have been a physiotherapist for the best part of 19 years and business owner within the sector for over half of that. As such I am always interested to hear from our allied health associations their advocacy around possible reforms, funding models, approaches to workforce challenges and service equality during the lead up to the election, albeit full well knowing the probability of any of it being embraced and supported by the government is as likely as my son giving up his playstation. Needless to say, that’s unlikely.

So, as I sit here and pontificate on the latest election promises it doesn’t come as a surprise that allied health doesn’t get a mention. Why is this? Well, the cold hard facts maybe that we are a minority in the healthcare majority workforce, and we don’t get the recognition from those that sit in judgement of our worth within the Australian government. Whilst allied health collectively could stand to save the country millions when it comes to the cost of healthcare, our respective professional associations and bodies continue to go unseen and unheard.

How do we truly change healthcare?

The idea of uniting all healthcare unions and associations, including those for nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and other healthcare workers, presents an intriguing potential for collective action. By forming a broader, united healthcare alliance, there could be significant benefits in terms of lobbying power, resource sharing, and the ability to advocate for systemic change across the entire healthcare spectrum.

In theory, uniting all healthcare unions and associations could create a powerful collective force that could advocate more effectively for systemic reforms, such as improved funding for the healthcare system, better working conditions for all workers, and more comprehensive healthcare coverage for patients. Many healthcare professionals, whether they are nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, or dietitians, face similar challenges, such as underfunding, understaffing, and an overburdened healthcare system that struggles to meet growing demand. By pooling resources and amplifying their voices, these professions could push for significant changes to healthcare policy, including an increased focus on prevention, mental health, and the integration of allied health services into primary care.

For instance, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and other professional bodies like the Australian Psychological Society (APS) have been advocating for broader access to allied health services, particularly through expanded Medicare rebates. Similarly, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has long called for increased funding for the healthcare system and better resources for medical professionals. A unified healthcare union could push these common goals more forcefully, advocating for reforms that benefit everyone in the healthcare workforce and, ultimately, the patients they serve.

The Possible Challenges

There are clear challenges in bringing all healthcare unions and associations together. The concerns of nurses, for instance, are often more focused on staffing ratios, workload management, and workplace safety, while allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, dietitians, and psychologists have unique concerns related to funding models, recognition, and the integration of their services into broader healthcare frameworks. The interests of doctors, with their own set of priorities around clinical autonomy, funding, and training, could also differ significantly from those of other healthcare workers. Historically doctors have had more political clout and access to decision-makers, while allied health professionals may struggle to achieve the same level of attention from government bodies. The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF), with its strong focus on nurses’ rights and pay, has already built an effective advocacy system for its members. Bringing such a diverse group together might risk diluting the focus and energy that each profession currently has in advocating for their distinct needs.

However, whilst balancing these competing interests in a single, unified healthcare union may present some provocation, if successful the benefit that this could bring to the healthcare sector could far outweigh the challenges. Uniting all healthcare unions and associations could lead to stronger collective bargaining on broad healthcare issues, but a more nuanced, profession-specific advocacy structure might better serve the unique needs of each group. A combination of shared action on overarching healthcare issues, alongside targeted advocacy efforts for each profession, might offer the most effective approach to bringing about meaningful change in Australia’s healthcare system.