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Doctors report on Baillieu Government's first year
18 November 2011
Despite failing to implement a number of key election commitments to improve the public hospital system the Baillieu Government has performed well across the health portfolio in its first year, said AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley today.
“We are still waiting on the delivery of 100 new public hospital beds and the release of hidden outpatient waiting list data. The Coalition promised that both would be delivered within twelve months of winning last year’s election,” said Dr Hemley.
Dr Hemley made his comments following the release of AMA Victoria’s Report on the Baillieu Government’s First Year. The report shows that the Baillieu Government has performed well in the areas of mental health, preventive health and ambulance services but failed in regard to public hospitals and aboriginal health.
“Given that spending on public hospitals accounts for approximately two thirds of Victoria’s $13 billion health budget this is a significant failure,” said Dr Hemley.
“The 100 new beds were meant to be delivered within twelve months of the Coalition taking office but to date we have only seen bed closures. AMA Victoria has repeatedly called on the Government to announce where the new beds will be located, what type they will be and exactly when they will become available to patients.
“It is very disappointing that the Government has not yet released the so called ‘hidden waiting list’. The current elective surgery waiting lists do not reflect the time patients actually wait for surgery. Victorians needing surgery can be forced to wait years for an outpatient clinic appointment before they’re put on the official elective surgery waiting list.
“Aboriginal Victorians continue to struggle to gain access to appropriate healthcare services and yet we have seen no new aboriginal health initiatives from the Baillieu Government.
“The Government has begun to implement a number of its mental health promises including opening new Prevention and Recovery Care beds, funding mental health research and opening female only spaces at psychiatric services.
“The Government’s public health initiatives will help to prevent disease and illness in the community. These include measures to combat the health impacts of harmful drugs such as the bans on bongs, Kronic (a synthetic form of cannabis) and flavoured tobacco products.
“The fight against chronic disease has benefited under the Baillieu Government with new funding for campaigns against childhood obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The complete AMA Victoria Report on the Baillieu Government’s First Year can be downloaded here.
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