The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for an end to the ongoing disputes regarding public hospital funding, urging governments to prioritize patient needs. This request follows stalled negotiations over a new funding model that has yet to materialize nearly two years after a preliminary agreement was reached in 2023.
AMA President Dr. Danielle McMullen emphasized the impact of these delays on patients, stating, “Australians are caught in the middle of a political dispute as hospital emergency departments remain under pressure and surgery waitlists continue to grow.” She called for the Commonwealth, state, and territory governments to collaborate and reach a sustainable agreement.
Calls for Collaboration on Healthcare Funding
The AMA recognizes the significant challenges facing public hospitals, including workforce shortages, an ageing population, and increasingly complex patient needs. Dr. McMullen highlighted that addressing these issues requires a cooperative effort from all levels of government.
“Funding Australia’s hospitals requires a partnership between federal, state, and territory governments,” she said. “Both sides must contribute appropriate funding together if hospitals are to improve.” To address these challenges effectively, the AMA urges all parties to finalize a fair and adequate funding agreement that reflects the true costs of providing modern healthcare.
“These challenges require a genuine collaborative approach,” Dr. McMullen added. “All levels of government need to lift their contribution and work collaboratively to deliver the healthcare services Australians deserve.”
Longstanding Issues in Public Healthcare
The AMA remains committed to working constructively with all governments to ensure that Australia’s public hospital system can meet both current and future demands. Their Clear the Hospital Logjam campaign has consistently shed light on the declining state of public hospitals, providing annual report cards that document the challenges faced.
In the lead-up to the last federal election, the AMA advocated for increased matched funding, the reintroduction of funding for performance improvement, and expanded capacity. They also called for investments in innovative out-of-hospital options to help reduce admissions.
Dr. McMullen noted, “This is a crisis that was developing long before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the inaction from several consecutive governments at all levels is having drastic consequences for the entire health system.” She underscored the urgency of the situation by stating, “Patients deserve to be seen on time when they visit the hospital in an emergency — but instead, spending hours ramped in an ambulance has become the norm.”
In conclusion, the AMA insists that all governments must put an end to the blame game for the sake of all Australians. The focus must shift to finding solutions that ensure effective and timely healthcare delivery across the nation.
