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AMA Victoria pans State Government ideology over Hospital Board appointments
AMA Victoria has slammed a State Government decision to outlaw senior doctors from serving on their own Public Hospital Boards, as a backward step that could lead to rural communities losing out.
The Department of Human Services “Guidelines for Boards Appointment Process” states:
Staff will not be appointed to the Board. As a general rule, nor will individuals with other pecuniary interests in the hospital or multi-purpose service, for example contractors providing goods or services (including VMOs).
AMA Victoria President, Dr Sam Lees, said by denying Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) the honour of serving on Hospital Boards the State Government was overlooking individuals who are uniquely qualified to assist in the development of health services in their communities.
“The decision to effectively ban experienced doctors from contributing to Hospital Boards is a slap in the face to rural communities” said Dr Lees.
“There is only a limited supply of people with knowledge of both health care delivery and local issues who also possess the time and commitment necessary to serve on a Hospital Board.”
“To be aware of this shortage and to decline to appoint the people best equipped to serve on Hospital Boards is a gross disservice to those Victorians who rely on the vitality of these rural services” said Dr Lees.
AMA Victoria Vice-President, Dr Mark Yates, said VMOs bring essential insight into the operations of a Hospital. He noted Governments’ justification for the decision being a conflict of interest argument, seemed uninformed.
“Most, if not all, Hospital Boards have strong policies regarding conflicts of interest that are diligently applied.”
“It appears the Government are using ‘conflict of interest’ as an excuse to mask silly ideology which does not stand up to sensible, informed scrutiny” said Dr Yates.
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