AMA urges Patterson to meet with State and Territory Health Ministers

Dr Phelps said the decision sends a signal to doctors and patients that the Federal Government is not prepared to work cooperatively with the States and Territories to develop solutions to the major health policy problems affecting the community.

"It is not productive for Senator Patterson to miss this meeting while health is the highest priority family issue for most Australians," Dr Phelps said.

"With the Treasurer saying last week there will be no new money for health in the Budget, the Federal Government appears to be lacking commitment to fix the Australian health system.

"The Australian Health Care Agreements are the glue that holds the national health system together.

"It is outrageous that the Federal Health Minister would threaten to boycott such an important meeting at such a crucial time.

"Bulk billing is dead. Whole communities are without doctors. Poor funding and low morale are affecting the quality of care in our public hospitals. Elective surgery in public hospitals is becoming much harder to obtain.

"Medical indemnity insurance continues to be a problem without adequate tort law reform in most States and Territories, and problems continue to mount in the aged care sector.

"Last year the Health Ministers pledged to put reform ahead of fights over money.

"The Australian community is demanding more doctors and ongoing equitable access to affordable quality health care, but nothing is happening.

"The Australian Health Ministers' Conference is the place to get things happening and the Federal Health Minister should be there. This Friday's meeting gives Senator Patterson the perfect opportunity to make her mark as a Health Minister. She should not and must not miss that opportunity.

"I will be contacting her to urge her to reconsider her position," Dr Phelps said.

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