Member Services
- Text Decrease
- Text Increase
- Print Page
AMA seeks urgent funding to ease elective surgery cancellations
AMA Victoria President Mark Yates is calling on the State Government to pledge an additional $100 million in funding for 300 hospital beds in the May budget, as the first step towards easing demand in emergency waiting rooms and minimising the unacceptable number of elective surgery postponements.
With cases of almost 40 per cent of scheduled elective surgery being cancelled in some hospitals in 2005 and patients repeatedly having surgery postponed, it is imperative the State Government provides additional funding, Dr Yates said.
Dr Yates said the funding would be used to provide 250 additional beds specifically for elective surgery patients across 25 metropolitan and major rural and regional hospitals depending on the hospitals requirements.
The remaining 50 beds would be for intensive care to bring Victorian hospitals closer to the national average for availability of intensive care beds.
“Recent figures prove Victorian hospitals are running more efficiently than their state counterparts. However, the low availability, high utilisation of intensive care beds means that even a small increase in emergency demand leads to cancellations of urgent elective surgery cases.
“Victoria currently has a shortfall of 1500 acute hospital beds and 150 intensive care beds compared to NSW. The 300 beds would be the first step in remedying the shortage of resources in Victorian hospitals.
“Increased hospital bed numbers should be an absolute priority for the State Government. The inability of hospital staff to respond to unexpected increases in demand because of a chronic shortage of beds puts enormous pressure on hard working hospital staff, and can add to the difficulties already faced in retaining quality medical professionals in the public hospital system.”
The 300 beds required are additional to the beds being made available in The Alfred’s new elective surgery centre. Dr Yates said the 300 beds would help ensure patients are treated, where possible, at locations close to their home and support networks.
Victorian Medical Directory
Quick Reference Links
Networks
Preferred Providers
Next
Prev