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Patient care the priority
Financial performance targets must not compromise quality patient care in our public hospitals, AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said today, following the release of the Victorian Auditor-General’s report.“While we commend the State Government on the improvements to some public hospitals’ financial position, we must ensure concern for financial health does not negatively impact on public hospitals’ primary responsibility of providing quality patient care for Victorians,” Dr Travis said.
“Community access to quality healthcare must be the priority,” he said.
The report ‘Public Hospital Financial Performance and Sustainability’ was tabled in parliament yesterday. The report indicated that while the financial position for Victoria’s public hospitals had improved, a considerable number of public hospitals, including major teaching hospitals, were still struggling.
“The report makes it clear we need more money in the public hospital system. We need to improve reserves, ensure quality staff are available to meet demand and ensure they have access to appropriate medical technology and equipment.
“Resources are stretched and our public hospitals are running at near capacity. Everything is running on full in our public hospitals, except the money tank, which is running on empty.
“Constraints in hospital funding limits the number of patients doctors and staff can treat. Many people with debilitating conditions are waiting an extremely long time to access services.
“The Federal Government needs to provide Victoria with a fairer share of health funding in the Australian Health Agreement 2008 - 2013, to be negotiated later this year,” Dr Travis said.
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