More private sector involvement in our health system could be a cure for some areas of strain

Westpac's new report shows our healthcare spending and outcomes are broadly in line with other OECD countries.

But it finds growing pressure from an ageing population and wider social challenges, could deepen our inequality and access issues.

Industry economist Paul Clark says the private sector's arguably nimbler - and has capacity to help the public system out.

He says there's scope to move more elective surgery to the private sector - freeing up the public system to do more life-saving care.