AMA calls for action on public hospitals

The AMA says a report on public hospitals today provides yet another reminder that a single hospital funding system, rather than more of the same, must be put on the table.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said the report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed there were more than seven million presentations to emergency departments in 2007-08.

“Our public hospitals are simply not coping with the increasing pressures,” Dr Pesce said.

“How many more reports will it take before government acts decisively to protect the interests of our patients?

“Doctors are increasingly frustrated by a system that consistently fails patients; making them wait when they are in pain, then forcing them out of beds too early when they finally get to hospital.

“Rather than endless cost shifting, we need to examine a single funding responsibility for health.

“Mr Rudd raised expectations for patients and doctors that something would finally be done about public hospitals.

“The time has come to deliver on that promise.”