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Budget delivers on most health promises
This is a good budget that has honoured many of the Government’s election commitments but key areas of the health system require further investment, AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley said today.
“The Government has listened to doctors and delivered on a number of election commitments. The Government has funded long overdue programs that the AMA has lobbied for over many years,” said Dr Hemley.
Dr Hemley welcomed funding boosts for hospital beds and infrastructure. “It is pleasing to see that funding has been made available for the promised 800 new beds. This will help to reduce the pressure on Victoria’s under resourced hospital system.”
“The Government’s focus on regional and rural Victoria is encouraging,” said Dr Hemley.
“The Government has provided funding for regional hospitals including $40 million for Echuca hospital and an additional $102 million for Bendigo hospital. This is in addition to a $56 million rural capital support program.”
AMA Victoria’s call for investment in mental health has been acknowledged by the Government with a $104.8 million funding package.
“The Government’s investment in mental health is welcomed. Particularly encouraging is funding for gender segregated psychiatric wards which AMA Victoria lobbied for in last year’s election.”
“The Government’s commitment to transparency is to be commended. Not only has the Government already released previously unseen data but it has allocated $4 million for a Hospital performance website.
“One key area of the health system that has not received adequate funding is health information technology.
“AMA Victoria called for a $328m investment in health information technology in our budget submission. Other than for the Royal Children’s' Hospital, the Government not provided any funding for health IT beyond the end of the next financial year.
“This lack of investment in health IT in Victoria will have a significant impact on the ability of doctors to treat patients.
“Victoria lags behind the rest of the world in our use of technology in public hospitals. The lack of suitable information technology means that patient care is compromised.”
The Government’s health plan which was released today states that “the routine and comprehensive use of e-health and communications technology should be integral to the metropolitan health system.” (Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012–2022: Metropolitan Health Plan, p 65)
“The fact that Government is aware of the importance of health IT makes the lack of funding even more concerning,” said Dr Hemley.
“It was also concerning that Government deferred funding for some key projects. The Ballarat helipad and $165 million Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital rebuild were not funded in this budget.”
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