HOSPITAL BUDGET CUTS WILL CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE
The AMA is perplexed at the comments of the Treasurer, Peter Gutwein about the impending cuts to hospitals budgets.
Vice-President Dr John Davis said “If one thing about the problems in health is clear, it’s that cutting hospital budgets in the current climate would be the height of stupidity. There is simply no room for cuts to hospitals without causing catastrophic damage to already over stretched services.”
“Cuts to hospitals’ budgets will see patients not receiving the care they need when they need it and elective surgery patients having to wait longer for their operations, putting lives at risk.
“Whether it is a $50 million cut to the Royal Hobart Hospital or a $20 million cut is irrelevant, the fact is to impose a cut of any magnitude on any of our hospitals at this crucial time is reckless and damaging to patients services and staff morale.
“Cuts could not come at a worse time with emergency department’s overflowing, in-patient beds full and a new major hospital to start preparing to move into.
“Rather than slashing into our hospital services and their support staff, we need to see an investment in more cleaners, nurses and doctors. This is particularly so at RHH to assist in the move into the new K Block of the RHH.
“Instead of attacking front line services with unaffordable budget cuts, the government needs to spend more time on looking at why the health system is broken. A good place to start is in the governance arrangements of the Tasmanian Health Department, the Tasmanian Health Service and the hospitals.
“The AMA strongly urges the Minister to urgently reform the governance structures in order to start trying to improve the health system in Tasmania.”
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Media Contact
CEO AMA Tasmania Lara Giddings 0400 417 160
Vice President AMA Tasmania Dr John Davis 0488 142 033