In an address to the National Press Club in Canberra today, AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said that Australian health policy should be elevated above the argy-bargy of party politics and given 'national treasure' status.

Dr Phelps said it is time to stop the petty point-scoring between parties, between the States and the Commonwealth, and between one State and another over the health dollar.

"Health policy should be about the most practical approach to saving lives and enhancing the quality of life,"

Dr Phelps said.

"Instead it has become a fight over dollars and ideologies - who gets the biggest piece of the pie and what flavour the pie should be.

"It is undignified and uninspired," Dr Phelps said.

Dr Phelps also called on the new Federal Government after the next election to hold a National Health Summit in its first 100 days of office to confirm to the electorate a commitment to a bipartisan health policy for the good of all Australians.

During her speech, Dr Phelps made the following points:

• The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) must be updated to relieve the pressure on doctors, to minimise patient gaps created by the decline in bulk billing, and to address increased patient gaps for procedural specialists

• A treaty or social contract with Indigenous Australians would greatly assist in overcoming the chronic health problems afflicting Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders

• Australian Governments - State and Federal - need to do more for our public hospitals. Dr Phelps released a comprehensive survey of more than 1000 public hospital employees highlighting the major problems in the public hospital system

• Australia's ageing population will put greater pressure on the aged care sector. Dr Phelps outlined certain AMA recommendations, including centres for excellence in aged care and a call for more appropriate accommodation such as the provision of double beds, where practical, in aged care facilities. "Love means never having to say you're too old," Dr Phelps said. The AMA will convene an Aged Care Summit later this year.

Copies of the public hospital report are available from AMA Public Affairs on 02 6270 5400.

The full text of Dr Phelps' speech is available at

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18 July 2001

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

Sarah Bucknell (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076