Health Minister Jim McGinty should stay

February 3, 2008

The AMA (WA) says Health Minister Jim McGinty should retain the portfolio but must be prepared to work more closely with those doctors and medical professionals operating at the coal face.

"There are many experienced and knowledgeable people in our health system who understand the core problems plaguing WA's public hospitals and the Minister should make an effort to listen to them," said association President Prof Geoff Dobb.

"Mr McGinty now acknowledges that our emergency departments are in chaos and if he's serious about tackling the problem he should sit down and listen to these people and embrace their views.

"The AMA has regularly invited the Minister to discuss these problems, but so far he has refused.

"Perhaps with the departure of Dr Neale Fong – and the appointment of Dr Peter Flett as Acting Director General of Health - a new era of co-operation can be created which will lead eventually to better outcomes for public hospital patients."

Prof Dobb said demands by the Opposition for Mr McGinty to apologise to AMA (WA) members Prof Gary Geelhoed and Dr David Mountain were not a priority for the association.

"Both men revealed the truth about what was happening in our public hospitals and were vilified by the Minister," he said.

"However we prefer that Mr McGinty express any remorse for his attacks on their credibility by taking immediate action to provide more hospital beds and resources to deal with the crisis in our emergency departments.

"It's the hundreds of patients each week who have to wait more than eight hours for a hospital bed who deserve the apology."

Prof Dobb said the AMA (WA) would welcome a meeting with the Minister as soon as possible to discuss the ED crisis and other major problems plaguing health.

Media Contacts