Surgery blitz no hospital solution

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.

Boost for hospital projects

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

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Clive Palmer in TV ad blitz

Clive Palmer has expanded on his plans for the United Australia Party. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: The Courier-Mail

BILLIONAIRE aspiring prime minister Clive Palmer will launch a television advertising blitz next week, insisting he wants to keep his campaign positive and steer clear from negative personal attack ads.

Professor Palmer has released a series of clips promoting his United Australia Party which he says will run on commercial television networks from Monday.

The mining magnate declined to detail the budget for the campaign or how long the ads would continue for but insisted he would campaign until September 14 and do "whatever it takes for people to have an alternative".

While he criticises the major parties' involvement with lobbyists, the short ads mainly feature Professor Palmer looking relaxed, calling for support, talking about how he will unite Australians, promoting his website and talking about his desire to cut taxes.

Although they are light on policy detail, Mr Palmer said he wanted to get the basic themes of his party out there after its recent launch.

Professor Palmer said he did not know how much of his own money had been given to the party but that there were other contributes as well.

"There is a party executive and a committee," he said.

"I do contribute but it's not all my money."

But he said he would not participate in the vicious attacks ads that the major parties relied on during campaigns.

"I can't see us doing that," he said.

"Our basic philosophy is that politics should be about ideas, not attacking people."

 

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Blitz on drivers using phones

Be first to see the powerful new TAC ad shocking drivers into ignoring mobile phones while driving.

MORE than 215,000 Victorian P-platers will be banned from using hands-free mobiles behind the wheel for their full three-year probationary period.

Fines of over $400 will be slapped on offenders, as the current penalty of a $282 fine and three demerit points is substantially increased.

And every Victorian driver is to be offered a free phone app which stops them receiving calls, texts and tweets. Grieving Vicki Richardson, of Mulwala, today helps launch a TAC campaign focusing on driver distractions.

What do you think? Have your say below.

Daughter Brooke, 20, died in December when her car hit a tree just moments after she had been texting.

Vicki said: "Please don't be tempted to use your mobile while driving."

Brooke Richardson (below right), 20, was killed when her car went off the road while she was texting.

Ms Richardson said: "It's just not worth cutting a life short."

Brooke was a P-plater.

The State Government crackdown follows last year's road safety survey, published in the Herald Sun, which found 89 per cent of Victorians wanted tougher penalties for those using mobiles while driving.

Premier Ted Baillieu said yesterday: "We will toughen penalties for people who are caught using their mobile phone while driving, through a combination of increased fines and demerit points."

The $282 fine is expected to jump by at least half.

Brooke Richardson was killed when her car went off the road as she was texting.

The Transport Accident Commission campaign being launched today warns of the dangers of distractions while driving.

Victoria's 54,958 P1 probationary licence holders are currently banned from using a mobile phone behind the wheel only during their first year.

The ban covers hands-free devices, hand-held phones, and messaging of any kind.

Elli Sumner with her mobile phone after a possible ban on P-Platers having mobile's in their cars at all. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

The new law will extend that ban to Victoria's 215,349 P2 licence holders applying for the three-year probationary period.

P-plater Elli Sumner, 22, said yesterday the new law would be fair enough for most young drivers.

"But what about the P- platers who need to use a hands-free mobile as part of their jobs? Banning them is too harsh," she said.

"It is their livelihood. Surely an exception should be made?"

Mr Baillieu said yesterday the campaign focusing on mobile phones and other distractions was strongly supported by those who responded to last year's road safety survey.

"Victoria has led the world with our campaigns on drink-driving, drugs and speeding, but little has been done to educate drivers on the dangers of being distracted while driving," he said.

"Phone calls, text messages, music and GPS devices combine to make it more challenging to concentrate.

"It's important all road users understand how quickly inattention can end in disaster," Mr Baillieu said.

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association spokesman Randal Markey today questioned the new crackdown.

"We have supported bans on mobile use by learners and P1 drivers,'' he said.

"We note the extension of the ban to all P-plate drivers in Victoria and pose the following questions.

“At some stage young drivers have to learn how to cope with distractions, which are a part of life behind the wheel. There are all sorts of distractions - not just mobile phones. Is an extension of the ban running a risk of shielding drivers from gaining experience how to cope with potential risks? Some driving experts have suggested a ban on all mobile use for drivers under 26 years of age. Where should the line be drawn?

"Could this extension of a ban to all P-plate drivers run the risk of forcing some probationary drivers to ignore the ban and try and use their mobiles while driving by hiding them on their laps to avoid detection?

" If so, could such a ban could be counter-productive because this outcome would be more dangerous than the alternative of getting the drivers to comply with the law of using cradles and Bluetooth and using best practice mobile phone technology to reduce driver risks?

"AMTA has produced a new brochure, `Keep your eyes on the road,' to show all drivers how to comply with the law and reduce risks to manageable levels of using legal hands-free mobiles when driving

"It makes very clear that using a legal hands-free kit is not appropriate in all driving circumstances.

"We believe that consumers will modify their behaviour if they understand the risks and have reasonable alternatives.

"We agree that targeting texting, which is dangerous, illegal and unacceptable, is where the focus should be.

"Naturalistic driving studies in the US have shown that texting while driving has a risk factor of up to 23 times greater risk of a crash or near crash than undistracted driving.''

Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said mobiles were the biggest distraction for drivers.

"In 2011-12 Victoria Police issued more than 55,000 mobile phone infringement notices to drivers. Those aged 20 to 30 were the biggest offenders," he said.

Other distractions include using GPSs, eating, and putting on makeup, he said.

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HOW THE APP WORKS

A FREE mobile phone app being developed by VicRoads is designed to reduce driver distraction and will be offered to every Victorian.

When put in Road Mode the app puts a mobile on silent and sends a text message to anyone who tries to call or text that mobile from another mobile telling them the person is driving and will respond when it is safe to do so.

When Road Mode is switched off it provides a summary of missed calls and texts.

Road Mode can work manually or automatically.

If the automatic option is chosen, it uses a mobile's GPS to detect what speed you are travelling.

If you go above 20km/h it will turn on and when you drop below that speed for at least 10 minutes it will turn itself off.

Road Mode will be free to download, however standard text message rates apply each time a new person calls or texts you while your phone is in Road Mode

If the same person texts or calls several times while you are in Road Mode they will only get one automatic text from your mobile.

The kinds of messages that will be on Road Mode include:

REPLY TO PHONE CALLS.

"Hi, I can't answer because I'm driving and it's too distracting and dangerous, so I've set my phone to Road Mode.''

"Hi sorry I can't answer. I'm driving so my phone's in Road Mode. I'll get back to you when it's safe to talk.''

REPLY TO TEXTS

"Hi I can't text you back yet. I'm driving and it's too distracting to use my phone, so I've set it to Road Mode.''

"Hi, I'm driving so I can't text back, it's too distracting. My phone is in Road Mode to manage my calls and texts.''

The replies will also direct callers and texters to vicroads.vic.gov.au/roadmode so they can check the website for details about the free app.

The app will initially only be available for android phones, but work is continuing to extend it to iPhones and other devices.

The android app is expected to be available within two months.

keith.moor@news.com.au 

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Hundreds of drivers nabbed in blitz

Police blitz. Source: Herald Sun

MORE than 400 drivers have been nabbed for mobile phone offences during a four-day police blitz.

Police detected 1950 offences during the operation, which ended on February 22 and which was aimed at reducing road trauma involving cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

Uniformed police joined the State Highway Patrol and bicycle patrol unit to target hotspots in the Melbourne, Yarra, Boroondara, Stonnington and Port Phillip police service areas.

Police focused on morning and afternoon peak commuter times when most collisions occur.

As part of the highly visible operation, police discovered:

1475 car and truck offences, including:

* 431 using a mobile phone while driving

* 241 disobeying traffic lights and signs

* 10 failing to give way

* 198 motorcycle offences, including:

* 110 riding in a bicycle lane

* 6 disobeying traffic lights and signs

* 140 bicycle offences, including:

* 86 failing to wear a helmet

* 30 disobeying traffic lights and signs

* 8 riding on a footpath

* 3 failing to have lights or equipment

* 137 pedestrian offences, including:

* 108 disobeying traffic lights

* 21 walking improperly on road

* 2 crossing within 20 metres of pedestrian crossing

The bicycle patrol unit nabbed 17 motorcyclists in less than an hour for riding in a bicycle lane on Rathdowne St Carlton last  Friday.

Members were out in East Melbourne on Wednesday February 20, when they tried to flag down a car that had gone through a no left turn sign about 8.45am.

The driver attempted to evade police and turned back into Punt Road and continued driving.

Two members rode after the vehicle and caught up with the driver in Albert St.

He was issued with a fine for failing to obey traffic sign and warned about failing to obey direction from police.

Shortly after at the same location, a scooter went through the no left turn and again tried to evade police.

The members rode towards Wellington Parade for about six blocks looking for the driver and caught up with him at some traffic lights.

He was then issued with a fine.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said police would continue to conduct these types of operations to not only protect vulnerable road users but also raise awareness of road safety and the impacts of distractions.

"We need pedestrians to look up from their smartphones and be aware of their surroundings, we need motorcyclists to ride with care in heavy traffic, we need cyclists to obey traffic lights and we need drivers to always look for cyclists, motorbikes and pedestrians,'' he said.

"There are more devices and distractions available than ever before and the consequences for vulnerable road users are dire.

"The new TAC distractions campaign, which launches today, shows how quickly inattention can end in disaster and highlights the dangers of taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds.''

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