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AMA calls on health ministers to put patient care before politics in health agreements

AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today urged Commonwealth and State Health Ministers to put patient care ahead of funding fights in future Commonwealth/State health negotiations.

Addressing the Australian Health Ministers' Conference (AHMC) in Hobart, Dr Glasson said the key to better health service delivery for all Australians is to make sure that patients get the right care in the right environment at the right time.

"Patients must be confident of the highest quality and most appropriate treatment as they transfer from hospital care to care in the home or in the community or in aged care facilities," Dr Glasson said.

"Smooth transition from one level of care to the next is essential.  Current problems can only be resolved if the Commonwealth and States work together to fix the problems that have been identified time and time again, and which appear on every AHMC agenda year in, year out.

"The work of the nine reference groups that reported to AHMC last year must form the basis for future policy and program development - and the doctors working in the system must be key contributors to this process.

"We need to get the funding levels increased but, more importantly, we need greater cooperation to make sure that every health dollar delivers the best possible outcome for patients."

Dr Glasson also stressed the urgency of getting medical workforce issues fixed, and with an eye to the future.

"Ensuring Australia has a medical workforce for the next two decades and beyond in the appropriate numbers and with the necessary skills will involve political and policy bravery today," Dr Glasson said.

"This involves a combination of increased training positions with full HECS, not unfunded bonded scholarships, a responsible program for overseas trained doctors, and stronger support for teaching in our public hospitals.

"Not only do we need lots of new doctors, we have to retain the ones already in the system."

Dr Glasson and other AMA representatives also called on AHMC to get more active and cooperative on children's health, with a focus on prevention of infectious diseases; child abuse; obesity; and Indigenous health.

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