The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for an immediate end to the ongoing disputes among government levels regarding public hospital funding. This appeal comes as negotiations for a new hospital funding arrangement remain stalled, nearly two years after a new funding model was agreed upon in principle in 2023. The AMA emphasizes that this political impasse is impacting patient care, with emergency departments under increasing pressure and surgery waitlists continuing to grow.
AMA President Dr. Danielle McMullen stated that patients are suffering as a result of the political conflicts. “Australians are caught in the middle of a political dispute as hospital emergency departments remain under pressure and surgery waitlists continue to grow,” she remarked. Dr. McMullen urged the Commonwealth, state, and territory governments to cease the blame game and reach a sustainable agreement that prioritizes patients.
The AMA acknowledges the genuine challenges facing public hospitals, including workforce shortages, an ageing population, and increased patient complexity. Funding for Australia’s hospitals requires a collaborative effort between federal, state, and territory governments. Both parties must commit to appropriate funding to enhance hospital services.
Collaboration Essential for Healthcare Improvement
“These challenges require a genuine collaborative approach,” Dr. McMullen asserted. “All levels of government need to lift their contribution and work together to deliver the healthcare services Australians deserve.” The AMA is advocating for a fair and adequate funding agreement that reflects the true costs associated with providing modern healthcare.
The association has been actively involved in addressing the issues within the public hospital system through its Clear the Hospital Logjam campaign. This initiative has been highlighting the critical state of public hospitals, with annual report cards illustrating the alarming decline in service quality. In the lead-up to the last federal election, the AMA called for increased matched funding, the reintroduction of performance improvement funding, expanded capacity, and support for innovative out-of-hospital options to mitigate admissions.
Dr. McMullen pointed out that the current crisis has been developing for years, predating the Covid-19 pandemic. The lack of decisive action from successive governments has had severe repercussions for the healthcare system as a whole. “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,” she noted.
In concluding her remarks, Dr. McMullen emphasized the urgency of resolving the funding disputes for the benefit of all Australians. “All governments must end the blame game now — for the sake of all Australians.” The AMA remains committed to working constructively with all levels of government to ensure that Australia’s public hospital system can meet both current and future healthcare demands.
