ALP 'downpayment' on public hospitals welcome but what about the doctors? - AMA
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that the ALP's public hospital policy has recognised the major problems facing Australia's public hospitals, but the policy ignores one major component of the public hospital system - doctors.
Dr Phelps said doctors are seldom mentioned in Labor's chunky policy document.
"Doctors don't even rate a single mention in the three-page media release," Dr Phelps said.
"This is not a minor oversight as far as the medical profession is concerned.
"There are widespread entrenched workforce problems for doctors and nurses in the public hospital system with record low morale because of long hours and poor remuneration.
"Public hospital funding must go beyond the bricks and mortar, the machines and the patient statistics. Governments must invest in the human capital as well - it is the doctors and the nurses who keep the system working with their vigilant patient care.
"While Labor's policy rightly sets out assistance for nurses, the AMA would like to see similar concerns for the working conditions of doctors in our public hospitals.
"In Western Australia at the moment, the public hospitals are in disarray because of neglect of the medical workforce, and there are similar problems in other states with a talent drain away from the public hospitals to the private sector."
Dr Phelps said the $545 million over four years is not nearly enough
Action to upgrade rural and regional hospitals
A National Health Summit, as called for by the AMA in first 100 days of the new government.
"Let's hope there's enough money and commitment to deliver on these promises."
The AMA will examine the costings over the next few days. Once the complete health policies of both major parties are released, the AMA will cross-check and cost them with the AMA Key Health Issues for the 2001 Election document and issue a report card on health policy.
Dr Phelps said both parties have remained silent on the issue of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the need for a significant increase in the level of the Medicare rebate for patients.
"The MBS is outdated and does not reflect the real cost of delivering vital health services in the Australian community today," Dr Phelps said.
"Unless Medicare rebates are increased, we will continue to see a rapid decline in bulk billing, the steady increase in gap payments for patients, and the loss of doctors from areas of need like country towns and outer city suburbs.
"No party in this election can claim success with health policy unless the MBS problem is addressed.
"It is impossible for the ALP to claim support for Medicare and a commitment to reduce patient gaps unless they address the outdated MBS.
"It is an issue that affects the health system well into the future, well beyond a three-year electoral term.
"Doctors and patients will be watching with interest," Dr Phelps said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076