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AMA Launches Campaign for Better Funding Deal for ACT Hospitals

The ACT Australian Medical Association today launched a campaign to ease the squeeze on public hospitals, saying that the estimated increase in hospital spending of 1.2% in this year's budget documents is a sick joke.

AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, joined ACT President, Dr Bob Allan, to call on the ACT Government to reassess the planned expenditure set out in the Territory's 2000-01 Budget.

"Services will continue to suffer without an increase in hospital spending of at least 5.5% this year," Dr Allan said.

"It is little wonder that a senior surgeon has resigned in disgust over surgery delays and funding shortages.

"We can expect more problems like this unless the ACT Government provides funding at a level which can meet the needs of Canberra and the surrounding region.

"The 5.7% increase in the Budget appropriation for hospitals is completely inadequate given that other (non-Budget) sources of revenue are expected to fall.

"When urgent operations are being postponed, risking the health of patients, and staffing levels completely inadequate, risking the health of staff, the budgeted 57% increase in spending on health central administration ("policy, planning and purchasing)" is appalling.

"The AMA will be campaigning for a better deal for public hospitals at the ACT and Federal level," Dr Allan said.

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