State Budget gets tick but danger signs ahead

Media release from the AMA (WA)

Prof Gary Geelhoed speaks to the media about the State Budget

The AMA (WA) has welcomed the State Government's decision to boost spending on health and not endanger the welfare of West Australian families by making them scapegoats for the damaging economic downturn.

"Finding the extra millions (5.9 per cent) to maintain the delivery of health services throughout WA is a good outcome at a time when slashing budgets is the order of the day," said association President Prof Gary Geelhoed.

"But we are concerned about the extra burden expected on the health system when patients start to abandon private heath cover – thanks to the Federal Government slashing rebates - and join the queue for treatment in our public hospitals.

"Along with more and more unemployed, this will have a huge impact in WA because we have the biggest percentage of privately insured patients of all States.

"The State and Federal Governments must be prepared for this tsunami by having extra funding earmarked to cope with the situation - or our public hospitals will crumble under the strain."

Prof Geelhoed said the association was pleased that the Government had not abandoned its commitment to an additional 800 nurses, the construction of new hospitals, assistance for GPs to extend clinical hours and a reduction in emergency department overcrowding and the elective surgery wait list.

"While some capital works projects have been deferred, the majority of targets have been given the funding they need to stay on track, which will be welcome news to doctors and the public," he said.

"However, we are disappointed that no additional funding has been provided to replace the growing mountain of obsolete and dysfunctional equipment hampering clinical care in our hospitals.

"The bill for this is now more than $200 million - and growing - and the AMA will continue to push for capital and equipment problems to be addressed as a matter of urgency."

Prof Geelhoed said the Government had also met its commitment to provide more assistance to rural patients, but it was not clear what extra funding was earmarked for Indigenous health.

"With the Licensing Court extending liquor restrictions to towns such as Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing there's a window of opportunity to tackle some of the major health and social problems facing these communities," he said.

"But it requires funding and resources to do this and we urge the Government not to miss this chance to make a difference and start bridging the gap."
 

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