Public Hospital Report
A grim view of Australia’s public hospital system was revealled in a new Federal Government report released this afternoon. The ‘State of Our Public Hospitals’ report shows that the wait for elective surgery nationally is still not fast enough. Queensland performed the best, with 91 per cent of patients being seen within the recommended time. Tasmania came last on 66 per cent. Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says the figures are disturbing, but denies a claim from the states that the Commonwealth has short-changed hospitals by more than $1 billion per year. Professor Jeff Dobb – Chairperson of the Australian Medical Association in Western Australia says problems in the public health system won’t be fixed until the state, territory and commonwealth governments work together.