Public hospitals on the precipice
26 March 2008
 
The Ministerial Review of Victorian Public Health Medical Staff, released today, confirms the uncertain state of Victoria’s public hospitals, the President of AMA Victoria, Dr Doug Travis, said today.
 
The Review states Victoria’s public hospitals are “under significant stress with low morale”.
 
“The Review shows us that public hospitals are on a precipice,” Dr Travis said. “Now is the time for the Government to decide which way it’s going to tip.”
 
Today the State Government announced a $2 million package to begin addressing the problems, which Dr Travis said “is woefully inadequate for the task.”
 
“We are already experiencing doctor shortages but over the next five years we will face the worst doctor shortage the state has ever seen. We need to do make significant improvements to retain Victoria’s medical workforce and attract new doctors to the state.”
 
“The Review shows that Victorian public hospitals need cultural change — we need to put the patient first, treat doctors and other staff with respect, engage doctors in the decision making process, and above all, make Victorian public hospitals a place where doctors in training get the best possible teaching environment” said Dr Travis.
 
The 126-page review document reflects the concerns of hundreds of doctors, managers and health organisations and contains 71 recommendations to help fix the issues plaguing the public health system in Victoria. The Government has only addressed seven recommendations in its initial response.
 
“Many potential solutions are outlined in the Review and can be used as a blueprint for the future of Victoria’s public hospitals,” said Dr Travis. “I hope the Government begins to take these issues a bit more seriously, rather than the dismissive tone evident in the Government’s response.”
 
The review notes the following problems in Victoria’s public hospitals:
 
  • Low pay, poor conditions. Victorian doctors are among the worst paid in the country. The review points out the need to “demonstrably value the work, commitment and opinions of clinical staff.”
  • Not enough doctors. Victoria is entering a four year period where the shortfall of doctors will be greater than any other time in the State’s history.
  • Doctors quitting. The review identifies the threat of doctors withdrawing from the public sector in favour of the private sector as the “Reasons that attracted clinicians to public hospitals in the past are rapidly disappearing.”
  • Stress. The review notes that stress, disillusionment and other factors contribute to errors, and that, “All these situations apply much of the time for clinicians at many hospitals in Victoria.”
  • Not enough beds. The review notes “a significant reduction in bed numbers and extremely high occupancy rates (sometimes in excess of 100%) … this causes considerable stress.” The panel “heard sufficient evidence to form an opinion that the public system is currently out of balance.”