AMA(WA) welcomes new Health Minister

September 18, 2008

AMA (WA) President Prof Gary Geelhoed says the appointment of Dr Kim Hames as Health Minister in the new State Government could provide an opportunity to finally address many of the problems still plaguing WA's public health system.

"Dr Hames is an experienced GP and was a Minister in the previous Government," said Prof Geelhoed.

"He should have a grass roots understanding of the issues that have made our public hospitals the most overcrowded in the country and we look forward to working with him to turn that around.

"We are also keen to work with him to better support our GPs and enhance primary and preventative care.

"As Minister for Indigenous Affairs, there is also a wonderful opportunity for Dr Hames to make great advances in the sadly neglected area of Aboriginal health."

Prof Geelhoed said the appointment of Dr Graham Jacobs as Minister for Mental Health was also welcomed.

"This area of health has been seriously under resourced," he said. "Having a Minister in charge will help focus the Government's attention on the problem which continues to grow every year."  

Prof Geelhoed said that former Health Minister Jim McGinty had done a good job in having the Government fund long term solutions to restructure public hospitals.

"Unfortunately, for many years the day-to-day crises in our emergency departments didn't receive the priority that patients required," he said.

 "It wasn't until the last nine months that the Minister finally listened to the medical profession and agreed to try and find more staff and resources to ease hospital overcrowding and other major problems."

Prof Geelhoed said the association hoped to meet with Dr Hames as soon as possible to help restore WA's public health system as one of the best in the nation.
 

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