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AMA Victoria launches election health priorities list
The Australian Medical Association of Victoria will today (Friday September 8, 2006) make public a detailed list of health priorities in the lead-up to the November state election.AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said the pre-election document aimed to highlight key areas where action can be taken now to make real improvements to the provision of healthcare in Victoria over the term of the next government.
Dr Yates said all parties needed to make a commitment to ensure the annual growth rate of the total health budget remains at least equal to that of recent years.
“On top of that we are asking for additional funding for the specific areas outlined in this document.
“Health is an important platform in the lead-up to the State election and if the political parties are serious about improving the health system in Victoria they should be making a commitment to these proposals,” Dr Yates said.
The document includes recommendations ranging from increasing intensive care beds in the southern and eastern suburbs to the need for a special package to help retain rural and regional GPs and specialists.
“Our key themes are access and equity. We must ensure Victorians have timely and appropriate access to health services regardless of their geographical location or ability to pay.
“While spending on health has increased, there are still areas which must be improved.
“Our recommendations are proposals which provide immediate solutions to specific problems, if addressed within the next two years.”
Dr Yates said the projects range from those needing a specific dollar commitment to better monitoring of health care services which can be implemented with little or no cost.
“Over coming weeks we will highlight specific issues, but this document gives the parties clear direction as to where they should be focusing their health policies,” Dr Yates said.
Priority areas covered include:
• obesity,
• mental health,
• medical workforce: recruitment, retention and re-entry,
• rural and outer metropolitan health services; and
• public hospital access.
End release:
Download a copy of the priorities list document, including specific recommendations under the five key headings.
Victorian Medical Directory
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