AMA (NSW) President: We need an unprecedented health budget to deal with an unprecedented year
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December 8, 2020AMA (NSW) President, Dr Danielle McMullen says urgent action is needed to address the healthcare needs of disadvantaged communities.
“We welcome the Upper House Committee report into health services in south-west Sydney, which shines a spotlight on inequity of healthcare provision in the State.
“Healthcare in south-west Sydney and Western Sydney has been historically underfunded and hospitals in these areas are struggling to meet the demand,” Dr McMullen said.
“NSW Health must act immediately to adequately resource hospitals in these areas so patients can get the care they deserve.
“The recent concerns at Blacktown Hospital highlight the importance of funding all hospitals appropriately,” Dr McMullen said.
“The State has built new hospitals and improved facilities in these areas, but recurrent funding has failed to keep pace.
“Building new hospitals won’t fix problems like elective surgery wait times if you don’t resource them properly.
“Emergency department presentations have increased by more than 40% over the last decade, without similar injections in funding and staffing.
“Per capita funding needs to consider the socio-economic conditions of residents in different areas of NSW, as well as access to other health services, and health literacy,” Dr McMullen said.
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