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Conditions worsening, say local doctors
29 July 2008
Gippsland doctors called on the State Government to address worsening conditions and low morale at Latrobe Regional Hospital at an AMA Victoria meeting in Traralgon last night.
AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis, who attended the meeting, said doctors were fed up with government inaction and the region risked losing medical staff because of worsening conditions.
“Morale is at an all-time low in Victoria’s public hospitals and Latrobe Regional Hospital is no exception. Its doctors are working under significant pressure and feel marginalised and excluded from decision-making processes, to the detriment of the community.
“Latrobe Regional Hospital does not have enough beds to treat the region’s growing population. As a result, the strain has caused a decline in performance with fewer patients being treated within the recommended times.”
Dr Travis said the Health Minister was aware of the growing problems in Victoria’s public hospital system.
“The Minister has a Review which says morale is low, stress levels are high and conditions are poor in our public hospitals. The Review also notes that doctors are moving to the private sector for better conditions.
“The Review offers potential solutions to many of these problems but unfortunately the government has partially responded to only seven of the 71 recommendations.”
Dr Travis said local doctors and nurses have done well to keep up with the rise in demand, but ultimately needed better resources to do their jobs well and make a difference to patients.
“The report shows we need to make significant improvements to Victorian public hospitals to retain the state’s medical workforce and attract new doctors. The government has the answers; we need action now.”
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