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AMA Victoria warns of public hospital strife over medical indemnity
AMA Victoria has issued a stern warning to both State and Federal Governments that urgent action is required to avoid a mass exodus of doctors from the public hospital system.
AMA Victoria President Dr Sam Lees said the Victorian and Federal Governments could not afford to feel complacent about the impact of the medical indemnity crisis on the availability of health services in
“Every Victorian knows that the public hospital system in this state is in a very precarious position, as illustrated by news coming out of the Royal Children’s Hospital and Alfred last week.”
“If there is no decisive State and Federal action to remedy the crisis in indemnity then the public system will be placed under greater pressure as it becomes more and more unfeasible for doctors to remain” said Dr Lees.
AMA Victoria Vice President and Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Kate Duncan, warned the Victorian Government that without further reforms to the law of negligence Victorian doctors would undoubtedly join their interstate colleagues in reconsidering their position in public hospitals.
“Demands on the Victorian public hospital system are great enough already. The people of
“Despite earlier promises the Victorian Government has not done enough to relieve the strain on the State’s doctors. It is time for the Victorian Government to deliver and match the reform packages of NSW and
Current Federal AMA Vice-President Dr Mukesh Haikerwal reminded the Victorian government that during his period of presidency he had received assurances that this government was committed to the introduction of the Ipp recommendation that standards of care for doctors be determined by relevant peers.
“It is vital for the good health of all Victorians that there is no reneging or watering down of this promise” said Dr Haikerwal.
“The State government must deliver in this sitting of parliament. The medical profession will not stand for a delay” said Dr Haikerwal.
Dr Lees acknowledged that whilst the percentage of doctors in
“Containment of medical indemnity costs and certainty of insurance arrangements are essential to keep doctors in the public system. Higher medical indemnity costs will drive visiting medical officers out of the public hospital system where salaries barely cover the cost of keeping their own practice rooms open” said Dr Lees.
Dr Lees was also quick to join his interstate colleagues in encouraging politicians to see beyond the IBNR levy when considering medical indemnity.
“Medical Indemnity is not an issue that will just disappear with a quick fix solution.”
“We are calling for the Federal Government to ensure the introduction of a more affordable and secure indemnity system, with Government acceptances of long term care costs and any claim lodged more than six years after the event” said Dr Lees.
Dr Haikerwal was adamant to reject suggestions that the reforms would take away the rights of claimants.
”To suggest that the AMA wishes to erode patient rights is nothing more than scare-mongering. The reforms are designed to give the public certainty that quality medical services will continue to be available through
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