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Hospital actions force doctors away and hurt patients - Traralgon
The Traralgon community is set to lose specialist medical services due to hospital bungling, which is driving away doctors, AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said.Huge hikes in rental prices proposed by Latrobe Regional Hospital for use of consulting suites will see several specialists cease services completely in Traralgon, rather than be forced to pass on the huge increase in costs to their patients. Others will relocate or reduce services.
“The hospital’s callous money-driven move is hurting the most needy, those who are too unwell or cannot afford to travel to access public outpatient services in other towns,” Dr Yates said
“There are no public outpatient services provided by the hospital, so many of the specialists who operate from these consulting suites bulk bill a high number of patients, because they know they would otherwise struggle to access treatment.
“However, Latrobe Regional Hospital’s huge rental increases effectively make some services uneconomical and will force the withdrawal of those services,” Dr Yates said.
“The new increases, of more than 70 per cent in some cases, have been introduced with little consultation.
“In addition, doctors will have to adhere to restricted hours and strict session times, severely limiting the number of patients the doctors can help on their visit to the hospital.
“As has been pointed out by our members, doctors are not fixing cars, they are fixing people and often work additional hours to make sure their patients receive the care and treatment necessary.
“The hospitals actions are a slap in the face for these dedicated doctors and their patients,” Dr Yates said.
Dr Yates urged the hospital to reconsider the changes.
“Clearly the hospital management is focused on the dollars and not on the important public service many of these specialists are providing to the people of Gippsland,” Dr Yates said.
“Doctors are very concerned about their patients who may not be able to afford increased costs or are unable to travel to access the services elsewhere,” he said.
Specialists using the suites at present include general surgeons and physicians, dermatologists and, ear, nose and throat specialists
“The hospital is proposing to improve facilities and services at the consulting suites, however, with no consultation with the doctors about what is required, some of these changes are inappropriate,” Dr Yates said.
“Several doctors have also told AMA Victoria the rental prices, even after the improvements, are still quite high even compared to what is being offered in Melbourne.”
Several of the Traralgon based doctors using the suites are expected to relocate to the private hospital in Morwell and two specialists have confirmed to AMA Victoria they will cease services under the hospitals current proposal. Others have confirmed they will reduce services they provide in Traralgon.
“Many of the specialists who use the rooms travel from Melbourne, and the increased rental costs, combined with accommodation and increasing fuel costs, make the service uneconomical.
“These doctors could pass on the increased rental charges to patients, but this would simply exclude those in most need from accessing the services.
“Country Victoria has an acute shortage of specialists and desperately needs to attract and retain doctors – actions like this simply force doctors away and discourage others from going to country areas,” Dr Yates said.
AMA Victoria has raised the doctors concerns with the State Government, but no progress has been made.
End release.
Background:
16 October, 2006 – Doctors notified of huge rental price increase.
20 November, 2006 – Following concerns raised by doctors and AMA Victoria, doctors notified the rental increases will still be implemented in full, but staggered with 50 per cent on 18 December, 2006 and 50 per cent on 18 June 2007.
7 December, 2006 – Doctors receive contract to sign.
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