Labor Offers A Start To Reduce Waiting Lists, But More Needed
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said today that Labor's plan to reduce elective surgery waiting times is an encouraging starting point but much more funding and comprehensive planning would be needed to clear the backlog of patients.
Labor's proposal is to spend $100 million in 2008 to clear 100,000 cases that have been waiting for more than the recommended time. A further $200 million would be spent over two years to improve throughput, and there is $300 million in incentive payments for the States to meet their admissions within recommended times.
Dr Capolingua said it appears the only money allocated specifically for providing medical care is the $100 million to clear the backlog of patients who have waited longer than the clinically recommended time for elective surgery, estimated to be around 100,000 cases nationally.
"This works out at around $1000 per case, whereas the average cost per case is closer to $4000," Dr Capolingua said.
"While the funding is not enough to clear all cases, it would be very welcome to people on waiting lists to know that the queue would be getting shorter and the time for their surgery is drawing nearer.
"The waiting times could be reduced more quickly if the $200 million for systemic improvements delivers vital resources to support the ability to conduct the procedures.
"The $300 million in incentive payments should encourage the States and Territories to make a greater effort to meet their recommended admission times.
"The AMA, however, is opposed to contracting public patients into private hospitals, which is a mandatory aspect of Labor's scheme.
"The intent of the policy is positive, but significant extra funding would be needed to clear the backlog of elective surgery cases," Dr Capolingua said.