DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Tuesday, 5 April 2005

DOCTORS CONDEMN FEDERAL INACTION ON PUBLIC HOSPITAL WAITING TIMES

“Reports today that surgeons are complaining that the Federal Government needs to inject resources into public hospitals to improve year long hospital waiting times is welcome” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

“Patients with cancer are being forced to wait weeks and months to get into pubic hospitals, patients with possible cancer are being left with their future uncertain until they can get into the hospitals to have their diagnosis confirmed, patients dying of cancer are failing to get into hospitals when they need to, and yet the Federal Government refuses to acknowledge any responsibility for public hospital problems,” said Dr Woodruff.

“This is despite the fact that there are many patients taking up beds in public hospitals who should either be in Federally funded aged care facilities or should have been better looked after in the community if general practice and primary care services, funded by the Federal Government, were adequate, and that Federal funding of public hospitals is well below the 7% yearly increase they give to private health insurance.”

“The current situation is tragic for both patients and doctors. This is a rich country. We can afford to do better,” said Dr Woodruff. “Our patients don’t deserve such treatment. It’s time for the Federal Government to accept its responsibility and for the Health Minister to address the health of our hospitals and our patients”.

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa

Vice President

Doctors Reform Society