16 January 2008

 

AMA Victoria welcomes the State Government’s announcement today to add an extra $25.8m to help clear Victoria’s elective surgery backlog, bringing the total pool of funds - including the federal contribution – to $60m.

 

AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, says the government’s decision to allocate $10.8m of the funds to capital upgrades will benefit elective surgery patients now and hospitals in the long term.

 

“We’re pleased the Victorian Government has identified the difference between capital upgrades and surgical activity. Our public hospitals are in desperate need of capital upgrades,” says Dr Travis.

 

“Elective surgery waiting lists are growing and these funds will ensure that more Victorians are treated within the clinically appropriate times.

 

Dr Travis says while the funds will help, the key to reducing elective surgery waiting times is to increase bed numbers.

 

“When there are no beds to take people to after elective surgery procedures, the surgery must be cancelled. We need more beds in Victorian public hospitals.

 

 “The Commonwealth shortfall on hospital funding is more than $700m. It is vital that we secure dollar for dollar funding of our public hospitals in the next round of Australian Health Care Agreements.”