Address the logjam to end the cycle of horror stories
The AMA today renewed its call for reform of public hospital funding, following a week of harrowing media stories highlighting the plight Australians face from an under-funded and under-resourced hospital system.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the horror stories coming out of every state and territory were the result of increased pressure on hospitals and a funding agreement that is “failing the health system and Australians who rely on that system”.
“Story after story is showing a system buckling under pressure. People are dying waiting to be seen which is unacceptable in a country that prides itself on having a world-class health system," Professor Robson said.
“NSW is facing record wait times for emergency departments and essential surgery, as ambulance ramping spikes, one in 10 people are leaving the emergency department without receiving care, and more than 18,700 people are overdue for surgery. This is no surprise, given reports of patients stuck in hospital beds for more than five years, waiting for disability or aged care services — beds that are needed to provide hospital care.
“In QLD, there are reports of patients dying as they wait for ambulances, with one suicidal patient waiting more than two hours for an ambulance and being found dead by paramedics, and another dying as the ambulance arrived nine hours after the call for help.
“How many more people need to die before we act?”
Professor Robson said the ACT also has beds taken up by patients who are waiting for disability or aged care services, and while the federal government’s new plan will help address this, more is needed to address systemic hospital issues.
“As inflation — and therefore the cost of providing care — continues to increase, the dollars available to provide healthcare will decrease, which was highlighted in a report on Victoria’s health budget over the weekend.”
The states and territories agree the current funding model is inadequate and have joined the AMA’s call for a permanent 50-50 funding split with the Commonwealth; with SA and TAS re-stating their position this week as they grapple with unprecedented demand and GP shortages.
“The previous federal government failed to act on an inadequate funding system, and decisive action is needed from the current government to address the issue,” Professor Robson said.
“We appreciate the decision to extend pandemic-related funding arrangements for another three months, however the health minister’s suggestion yesterday that the current funding agreement should run until 2025 isn’t good enough. Our hospitals were in crisis before COVID-19. The horrific stories we are hearing are simply the result of inadequate funding arrangements.”
The AMA’s Clear the Hospital Logjam campaign is calling for 50-50 funding between the Commonwealth and states to improve hospital performance, expand capacity, and address avoidable admissions. It also calls for the 6.5 per cent cap on activity to be scrapped, to allow hospitals to meet community demand.
“Over the next few months, the AMA will be renewing our push for hospital reform through our campaign. We will be advocating for funding to address elective surgery and outpatient appointment wait times, the bed block created by having inadequate aged care and NDIS funding and proposing solutions to the current GP crisis.
“My hope is that we give hospitals what they need, and soon.
“Behind every horror story of an avoidable death is someone’s loved one, and all Australians deserve better — it’s time to act.”
