COAG Must Not Be Complacent on Health

Dr Haikerwal said he welcomes the Prime Minister's comments today about the importance of working cooperatively with the States to get aged care services right, but the problems are much bigger and broader than aged care alone.

"I urge all COAG members to look at what is happening with health in Queensland right now," Dr Haikerwal said.

"The crisis around Bundaberg Hospital has exposed faults in the health system that are spreading out across Australia.

"The focus must be on quality - quality of the medical professionals in the system, quality of the medical facilities, and quality of the services and programs that must deliver health services equally and affordably to all Australians no matter where they live.

"All Government must focus on how to solve the medical workforce shortages by urgently supporting and upgrading clinical training programs for increased numbers of medical students and doctors in training.

"They must look at upgrading or replacing many of our ageing public hospitals, especially in country areas where a lot of hospitals are closing down. This infrastructure is vital and must form part of a nationally consistent rural health policy.

"While the States have a huge responsibility to improve delivery of health services at the local level, especially through our public hospitals, the Commonwealth has a lot to do in the areas of people - the medical workforce - and health infrastructure,' Dr Haikerwal said.

Dr Haikerwal said the way ahead on health for COAG was encapsulated by an urgency motion passed at last weekend's AMA National Conference in Darwin, which reads:

"National Conference expresses sorrow at any unexpected deaths that occurred at the Bundaberg Hospital consequent to the appointment of Dr Patel. Unfortunately this episode is symptomatic of the stress under which the Australian Public Hospital systems are operating.

National Conference affirms that quality and safety in healthcare are best provided by a well-resourced, skilled, experienced and motivated workforce. National Conference requests that the President calls on all State and Territory Governments, in consultation with the profession, to make public within the next three months the steps they have taken to attract and retain their public hospital medical workforce and ensure those appointed meet the training, skills and experience standards required by Australian Medical Colleges."