Jessica Newman, with her mother Jacqui, will benefit from more funding of the Monash Children's Hospital. Picture: Tony Gough Source: Herald Sun
AN elective surgery blitz that could spark an extra 20,000 surgeries a year will not be the panacea for soaring demand, warn doctors, nurses and the State Opposition.
The $421 million over four years to reduce the 55,000 strong waiting list has also been criticised for forcing public hospitals, which have faced bed and theatre closures, to compete against private hospitals for funding.
Shadow Health Minister Gavin Jennings said the move smacked of privatisation by stealth.
"When service provision is based on who can do it cheapest, Victorians can't be guaranteed they'll be able to access the best care, no matter where they live."
But Treasurer Michael O'Brien said it would drive competition and make sure more people are treated sooner.
"I don't think most people waiting for an operation are worrying about whether it is done in a public hospital or a private hospital . . . they want to get better sooner," Mr O'Brien said.
Australian Nursing Federation secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick hit out at the $210 million health cuts over four years.
She said the State Government wanted hospitals to treat an extra 49,000 emergency patients, but only provided an extra $2.5 million in funding.
"What the government is signalling is hospitals need to save in order to do more, but there is no fat in the system," she said.
AMA Victoria president Stephen Parnis welcomed the budget as a step in the right direction, in particular the additional money for medical interns.
Patients will benefit from $400 million to fund the Monash Children's Hospital and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Only $30 million will flow next year, despite projects due for completion in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Jacqui Newman, who has a daughter, Jessica, 9, in the Monash Children's Hospital for the past seven weeks fighting cancer, said she was pleased to hear the hospital would get funding because the rooms were small, needed upgrading and the hospital lacked stimulation for ill children.
The budget had $18 million for Numurkah health services, $35 million for mental health at Werribee Mercy Hospital, $238 million for training doctors and nurses, $29 million Northern Hospital expansion and $50 million towards a new public hospital in Geelong.
Health Minister David Davis said its $14 billion record investment would ease pressure on the system.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews accused the Government of cutting $826 million from health during its rein and contributing just $3.8 million to $176.3 million of Federal funds to treat more patients.
with Stephen Drill and Grant McArthur
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét