DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Wednesday, 23 November 2005

Hospitals Won’t Cope With Bird Flu or Terrorist Attack ....Time For Federal Government Leadership

“Concern by the Royal Australian College of Surgeons that our under-resourced, over extended public hospital system would be unable to cope with natural catastrophes like bird flu or the results of a terrorist attack should be a wake up call to the Federal Government to show some leadership in this matter,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

“When disasters strike, the public hospitals are the ones which have to cope,” said Dr Woodruff. “We must remember that the victims of the Bali bombings were treated in public hospitals across Australia, not in private hospitals.”

“But to address the public hospitals’ capacity to cope with these disasters we need the Federal Government to step up to its responsibilities, show leadership, and ensure that all Australians, rich and poor, have a public hospital which can treat them in the case of a disaster. The private sector cannot do it. The private health insurance rebate will be worthless.”

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Doctors Reform Society