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AMA Victoria calls on Minister to intervene on surgery closure
AMA Victoria is gravely concerned at the news of the proposed closure of surgery at the Rochester Elmore District Health Service.
“This has been done without consultation with the very committed local doctors who are devastated by this decision,” AMA Victoria president, Dr Sam Lees said.
“Hundreds of local people are now going to be forced to join the waiting list at Bendigo – the second longest elective surgery waiting list in rural Victoria”.
Dr Lees called on the government to support procedural doctors in rural community and clearly define minimum health service standards for rural communities. He will be raising the issue with Minister Pike at a scheduled meeting next Tuesday.
“The availability of surgery in small rural towns is extremely important to the community, acting as an incentive for GPs to work in the town, relieving the pressure on larger regional hospitals, enabling continuity of care with their local GP, ensuring prompt treatment and recovery which is particularly vital for rural workers and their families.
“The problem at Rochester health service needs a “can do” approach, but with fixed budgets eroded by increased costs, hospital management, in isolation from medical input, is looking at low cost options and not the range of services required to provide quality health care to the community.”
“This decision is driven by lack of government funding not a concern for high quality care which the community of Rochester and Elmore deserve.
“Coming just days after the news of the closure of the Koo-wee-rup hospital’s surgery facilities the closure of these two surgery units is totally contrary to the government’s commitment to improve the health status of Victorians living in small rural towns with an emphasis on community-based health care.”
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