Murky politics a threat to NT health plan
June 16, 2008
The Federal Government is putting the health of thousands of Northern
Territory children at further risk by using the intervention program
as a political point-scoring exercise, the AMA (WA) warned today.
"The Government chose to ignore the AMA's recruitment expertise
for the program because they wanted to discredit the organisation
over its criticism of the Government's health reform agenda," said
association President Prof Geoff Dobb.
"It's murky, pay-back politics which will only jeopardise an important
health initiative desperately needed by thousands of young Indigenous
children."
Prof Dobb said many doctors, who were recruited by AMA (WA)'s
Locum Service last year to go to the NT, had indicated they would
not take part in follow up visits because of the way the program
was being handled by the Government.
"The Government has tried to smear the AMA by allowing information
about our contractual arrangements to go public," he said.
"But the truth is the program only got underway last year because
the AMA had the recruiting and screening skills to find the most
suitable doctors to take part.
"Even though our contract doesn't expire until June 30, the Government
has not asked the AMA for one doctor since January and have made
it clear they don't want to work with us – now or in the future
- despite our offers of help.
"As a result, we could see no point in tendering for new contracts."
Prof Dobb said there was already a shortage of doctors volunteering
for the program and many had contacted the AMA asking not to have
their names put forward for follow up visits.
"They are disenchanted with the way the Government is handling
the program and this includes proper remuneration for their services," he
said.
"The Government must treat the NT initiative as a core component
of Australia's health care program and not try to do it on the
cheap.
"There needs to be a long term, sustainable commitment from the
Government which requires that medical professionals don't have
to sacrifice their livelihoods to be involved.
"The AMA, more than any other organisation in Australia, has campaigned
long and hard for a better deal for Indigenous health.
"To suggest that we have tried to profit from their predicament
is not only untrue, but very grubby politics by the Government."
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