Mental Health and Public Hospitals Must Be Top of COAG Agenda
AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today that the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has an unprecedented opportunity at its meeting tomorrow to do something significant and enduring by signing up to a united plan to combat growing mental health problems in the Australian population.
Dr Haikerwal said that leading from the top is the way to go, with a joint commitment to genuine reform that can be realised.
"Mental health and public hospitals are two of the biggest pressure points in the health system that need coordinated Commonwealth/State attention and funding," Dr Haikerwal said.
"There must be genuine preparedness from all parties to commit significant funding to mental health programs and services - talk is not good enough. There is plenty of good evidence that people are suffering needlessly and that there is action that can be taken to improve the situation.
"COAG must move on a joint long-term plan on health with medical workforce, aged care, and chronic disease management up there with mental health and hospitals as issues that can only be addressed by a cooperative team approach from all levels of government.
"Preventive care and the public health need to be integral parts of health care planning and delivery, not a poorly funded add-on.
"Another priority is funding to assist getting young disabled people into more appropriate care environments, preferably out of nursing homes."
Dr Haikerwal said he is confident of leadership from Prime Minister John Howard to ensure poor policy doesn't see the light of day.
"The AMA would like to see the Productivity Commission's proposals for doctor substitution - which were greeted enthusiastically by some States - dismissed for what they are: a blueprint to lower the quality of the Australian health system, lower expectations, and splinter the care currently provided.
"We would also prefer plans for a national call centre deferred pending further consultation with the care providers around the country, a proper audit of successful localised call centres, and tangible evidence of patient benefit from the estimated $40 million cost each year.
"Joint COAG approaches to improve rural health and Indigenous health services must also be progressed. COAG has the way. It must have the will," Dr Haikerwal said.