Project to policy: TUFH principles in action in Australia.
BACKGROUND
In 1999, Towards Unity For Health developed principles for patient-based health systems which included partnerships, raising the level of partnerships, integration of individual, population and public health, information management and measurement of outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
To address the health workforce crisis in an area of remote north western New South Wales (NSW) in Australia.


METHODS
The NSW Rural Doctors Network applied the TUFH principles in overcoming much of the crisis and developing an ongoing local health system which has answered many of the local needs.


CONCLUSIONS
The project provided experience for policy change and development at both State and National levels.
NSW Rural Doctors Network, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. icameron@nswrdn.com.au
Ian
I
Cameron
Vlad
V
Matic
Richard
R
Mathews
D019058:Community Networks; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009517:New South Wales; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*