State Government invests in prevention, Federal hospital funding still a worry

AMA (NSW) President, Prof Brad Frankum, says the State Government has made some good investments in preventative health, including $14 million to tackle childhood obesity.

“The NSW Government should be commended for recognising the need to invest in childhood obesity prevention programs.

“The growing obesity epidemic presents a lifelong risk of poor health outcomes and spiralling health costs, including increased demands on public hospitals.

“The five per cent increase in recurrent health funding is a steady as she goes approach, which is a positive for our hospitals in the current climate of Commonwealth Government funding uncertainty.”

“The most concerning thing for AMA (NSW) is this uncertainty over Federal Health funding in the coming years.

“Both the Coalition and Labor have pledged some modest health funding to get us through to the end of the next election cycle.

“However, the fiscal cliff we were headed for in 2017 has merely been pushed out to 2020.

“This continued uncertainty over funding continues to throw long-term health planning for how resources will be deployed into question.

“NSW hospitals need to know they will be able to continue to operate beyond 2020,” Prof Frankum said.

“The State Government’s infrastructure spend continues an unprecedented hospital building program.

“However, it’s important to remember that money to build hospitals is one thing but they need ongoing funding to keep beds open and ensure patients get the treatment they need.

“In particular, acutely unwell mental health patients continue to be a challenge for emergency departments, and there needs to be more investment in mental health inpatient bed capacity,” Prof Frankum said.

Prof Frankum commended the investment in improving emergency department security and the recognition of the importance of medical research, particularly the funding for scholarships.

“Over the past 12 months there have been several incidents that have highlighted risks to doctors and other health workers in hospitals.

“I am happy to see the Government continuing to take steps to increase the safety of the people who are working hard to keep the community healthy,” Prof Frankum said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955