Health Care Agreements must be based on quality of care and cooperation
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said the Federal and State/Terrritory Governments must put the reform agenda ahead of money squabbles as they enter the final phase of negotiations around the next five-year Australian Health Care Agreements (AHCAs).
Dr Glasson said both levels of Government must cooperate and make appropriate complementary funding commitments if our public hospitals and other health services are to serve the community properly into the future.
"The negotiations have degenerated to the usual cost-shifting and blame-shifting level," Dr Glasson said.
"While arguing about money, the Federal and State Health Ministers have lost sight of the reform agenda.
"The reform agenda is as important, if not more important, than the bunfight over the respective level of funding from the Commonwealth and the States for health.
"We must improve the links between hospitals and primary and aged care services.
"We must improve the progression processes between primary, community, acute, sub-acute, transition and aged care.
"There must be greater consumer choice for health care and improved responsiveness to emergencies.
"Cancer care and mental health services must be upgraded and linked to other services.
"We need a single national system for pharmaceuticals.
"Above all, we must maintain and improve the resources and services at our public hospitals. They are national icons for accessible patient care and medical training."
Dr Glasson said the AMA has met regularly with Ministers and advisers promoting initiatives such as:
- a national demonstration project for public hospital emergency departments
- greater access to GPs in aged care facilities
- and national standards for the performance and accountability of the public hospital system.
"The level of funding from the Commonwealth and States is important, but how it is spent - and transparent reporting of how it is spent - is more important," Dr Glasson said.
"While the Federal Government offer currently on the table is at the low end of reasonable offers over the course of the Agreements, we would still expect to see real funding increases in the public hospitals if the States and Territories were to match the offer.
"At the same time, with this funding offer, if private health participation and private hospital utilisation remain stable, public hospital admissions will not get out of control and the whole system will be stable for the foreseeable future.
"Although the Federal Government's funding offer is lower than expected and desired, it should be used as a starting point, not an end point.
"The States should match it and we should all then move on to the reform debate."
Dr Glasson said the AMA would independently present its AHCA submissions to the Health Summit being proposed by Professor John Dwyer and his alliance.
"The AMA is not a member of Professor Dwyer's alliance but we do share many of their concerns, particularly in regard to public hospitals.
"A summit is an ideal forum for all stakeholders to have their say," Dr Glasson said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306