DRS 

Doctors Reform Society

Media Release

Friday, 2 January 2004

Patients suffer as hospitals clogged by the Aged

"Reports today that over three quarters of elderly patients going to public hospital emergency departments should be sorted in the community means that they are suffering unnecessarily," said Dr Tim Woodruff, President of the Doctors Reform Society. "But it also makes it easier to understand why we are hearing more and more reports of patients treated poorly in our under-resourced public hospitals."

"Access to doctors in the community is just too hard for the elderly," said Dr Woodruff. "GPs are too busy to visit nursing homes at the end of a long and exhausting day in their practice. They are effectively being told by the Howard Government that if they are short of money they should charge copayments. Many of the elderly simply can't afford the $100 it might cost for a home or nursing home visit. Sadly the best the Howard Government has offered are two packages which still leave many elderly patients looking for $100 to be treated."

"Added to that is the reality that many patients in public hospitals are waiting for an Aged Care place, costing State Governments $500-$1000 a day, waiting for the Howard Government to sort out its responsibility   i.e. Aged Care."

"It is time the Howard Government laid out a plan to look after all patients instead of just those who can afford $100 nursing home visits, and private hospital care."

Dr Tim Woodruff President Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa Vice President Doctors Reform Society

Dr Tracy Schrader Vice President Doctors Reform Society

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