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AMA Victoria Responds COAG Initiatives
Initiatives from the Council of Australian Governments’ meeting today have provided a number of positive outcomes for Victoria, according to AMA Victoria President Mark Yates.
The AMA Victoria is pleased with outcomes for key areas such as mental health, increased services for the elderly within public hospitals and the focus on ‘healthy lifestyles’.
“The focus on ‘Promoting Healthy Lifestyles’ is particularly welcomed by AMA Victoria and should be extended to directly deal with obesity and its consequences,” said Dr Yates.
“A key AMA Victorian public health issue is obesity and the ‘Promoting Good Health, Prevention and Early Intervention’ initiatives will hopefully help support our work towards reducing and preventing obesity.”
However, he said it was disappointing the COAG meeting did not address high sugar additives in food and ban advertisements for junk food during prime-time childrens’ television.
“These are key areas the government must address if it is serious about curbing obesity.
Dr Yates also welcomed initiatives addressing mental health.
“After years of neglect this is an area which requires urgent and ongoing funding to ensure programs and services are improved.”
Dr Yates said he was also pleased the governments have made a commitment to evaluate call centre referral models.
“The focus will now have to be on ensuring the outcomes from the call centres are effective and efficient, to ensure the funding is not wasted.
“The services which have proved most effective have been those integrated with local general practice services, such as those in the Grampians and Central Highlands. It is important that services such as these two, which are working effectively, are maintained.”
Finally, the AMA Victoria is pleased time will be taken to review the Productivity Commission report on workforce reforms and the government has not acted too hastily.
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