A health forum held in Bendigo today has revealed some of the disturbing personal stories behind the unfolding health crisis in the region.
The forum was hosted by the Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad and Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy.
Ms Broad said she was shocked to hear stories including:
- A patient who has been diagnosed with multiple life-threatening melanomas being told to wait a year to see a surgeon;
- A person who suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction and called an ambulance, only to have a fire truck arrive because there were no ambulances available; and
- A patient waiting years for surgery for a disfiguring lip lesion, even though they offered to pay upfront for the operation.
“We also heard stories of local surgeons working interstate where they are paid more; ongoing ambulance ramping; nurses leaving the system in droves; long wait times at the Bendigo Health emergency department and more,” Ms Broad said.
“The staff at our local hospitals are working tirelessly to provide the best care possible but they are under pressure because of poor decisions by the Labor State Government.”
Ms Kealy said she feared there would be a “complete collapse” of the health system under Labor.
This follows significant funding cuts to healthcare in the most recent state budget. Public health funding was cut by 33.8 per cent, and more than 20 health services were told their budgets would be cut by up to 30 per cent across the next financial year.
“Labor’s plans for vast amalgamations and slashing budgets are not the answer to fix health workforce issues, ambulance ramping and long wait times for surgery that Victorians are experiencing across the state,” Ms Kealy said.
Ms Kealy said, “It makes no sense for Labor to slash hospital budgets and force the hospitals into a position where they can’t employ new staff when they are already struggling to keep up with demand for care.
“This government is spending billions on the Suburban Rail Link yet cutting funding to our health services. Labor can’t manage money, and now our health system is in crisis,” said Ms Broad.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
