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Rudd playing blame game on health (Medical Observer, opinion)
26 March 2010. By Dr Stephen Parnis.
In 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he wanted to “end the blame game” on health. On 3 March 2010, he released his blueprint for hospital reform. Last week, he debated Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the National Press Club.
Health reform is vital national business, and Mr Rudd should be given credit for putting forward a plan. It’s a plan with plenty of holes – for example, there are no extra health services for at least four years – but he is starting an important national discussion on healthcare.
There are still unanswered questions on general practice, prevention, IT, aged care, and what Victorian public hospitals are going to get out of these reforms to administrative arrangements. We already have casemix funding, we already have local boards, so what exactly will change?
Mr Rudd has rightly described the health system as “crook” and “stuffed”. But rather than looking forward, he’s laid blame. He’s blamed John Howard. He’s blamed bureaucrats running “scare campaigns”. He’s blamed the Victorian Government. He’s blamed John Brumby – saying the Premier’s government is ‘’kidding itself’’ if it thinks its system is anywhere near good enough.
Mr Abbott, meanwhile, is pulling out a big new bag full of blame. He’s had a go at state premiers and Mr Rudd personally.
The debate was a disappointing spectacle for doctors. We want real reform, innovation, and more beds. We are sick of spin.
In Victoria alone, we need another 187 beds each and every year just to keep up with population growth. We need to foster innovative care solutions such as Hospital in the Home; to empower patients to improve self management; and to boost the dire lack of rehabilitation and aged care places.
Rural healthcare needs serious attention. Getting the right funding arrangements is vital but the crisis goes well beyond rearranging funding mechanisms from Canberra.
Last week’s debate left too many unanswered questions. Doctors need to know Mr Rudd’s plans for general practice, IT, aged care, community health, prevention, dental care and many other key issues.
Already, we know the most efficient states will be disadvantaged by the proposed transition arrangements, and be punished for our efficiency. NSW taxpayers will get $1.5 billion more than Victoria to treat the same number of patients. That’s just not fair. We do know Mr Rudd has not promised one extra dollar for Victorian public hospitals for the next four years.
There’s certainly a lot of work to do before Victorian doctors recommend their premier accept the deal the Prime Minister has put on the table.
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