Doctors Welcome Plans to Give Frontline Health Workers Greater Control of Hospitals
The Australian Medical Association (NSW) today welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment to give local doctors a role on local public hospital governing bodies.
AMA (NSW) President Michael Steiner said the policy was good news for doctors, nurses and patients as it ensured major decisions would be made with a view to the delivery of frontline care.
Dr Steiner said the policy put NSW ahead of other states in respecting the value of doctors and nurses in the management of the health system.
“I am particularly pleased that there is now support from both Jillian Skinner and Carmel Tebbutt for the principle of allowing local doctors and nurses to serve on the governing bodies of LHNs, following today’s announcement and the March 2009 policy announcement by the NSW Liberals and Nationals,“ Dr Steiner said.
“We especially welcome the statement in the report that: “The NSW Government is particularly interested in strengthening clinician and community involvement in the decisions that affect their local hospitals.”
“Genuine reform will mean that LHNs are established around natural communities and patient flows. This will inevitably mean that some LHNs will cross state boundaries. The AMA will advocate for cross-state LHNs where local clinicians and local communities believe it to be appropriate”
“The important thing is to get the governing fundamentals right,” said Dr Steiner. “It is especially important that the doctors who serve on the governing bodies of the LHNs are nominated by their colleagues rather than appointed by bureaucrats.”
AMA (NSW) will be consulting extensively with doctors about the document released today and making a detailed submission to the NSW Government to reflect the concerns of members.
Media Contacts: Anil Lambert 0432 828 006 / Tanzeem Parkar 0419 402 955
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