Member Services
- Text Decrease
- Text Increase
- Print Page
Health plan essential to support population increase
25 September 2008
AMA Victoria today urged the state government to plan for adequate health services to accommodate Melbourne’s unprecedented population increase.
Victoria has experienced the biggest baby boom since 1973, with more than 37,000 births in the past year, and the highest overseas migration since 1971, with 52,000 new arrivals to the state.
This increase is adding 1700 people to Victoria’s population every week.
The population boom has exceeded the expectations of government planners and additional health funding is critical to meet public health demands.
AMA Victorian President Dr Doug Travis said it was vital for governments to plan adequately for public health care.
“A population increase of this scale can’t be ignored. We’ve already seen planning problems with maternity services and emergency department access across the state. We need more beds, extra doctors and nurses, and a plan to invest for future health needs,” he said.
Dr Travis said with population growth came changes in demographics, disease profiles and a rise in complex, chronic conditions that needed to be managed.
“Other problems will develop in other areas of health care without adequate planning,” he said. “The prevailing wisdom is that we should have around 2.6 hospital beds per 1000 people. We are getting our extra 1700 people every week in Victoria, but we are not getting the extra beds.
Victorian Medical Directory
Quick Reference Links
Networks
Preferred Providers
Next
Prev