VIC: Minister endorses hospital halting elective surgery

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-1999
VIC: Minister endorses hospital halting elective surgery

By Lisa Walker, State Political Correspondent

MELBOURNE, Feb 10 AAP - A Victorian hospital's decision to slash elective surgery because
it treated too many patients in the first half of the year was supported by Health Minister
Rob Knowles today.

The Austin Hospital, in north-east Melbourne, revealed it would cut elective surgery for
non-veterans for two months in a bid to meet its budget.

But the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and state opposition attacked the move, saying
government underfunding was to blame and the hospital was being set up to be privatised.

Hospital chief executive Jennifer Williams said the hospital, which treated 10 per cent
more patients in the final half of last year, would have to bear the cost if it exceeded the
number of patients funded by the government.

"In terms of being able to meet the demands for services in our area, I think we are
adequately funded to be able to do that," she told reporters.

But hospital funding was capped and a "small scaling back" was needed to avoid a $2 million
deficit.

The hospital would argue for higher targets to be set for patient numbers, and more
funding, in the next round of negotiations, she said.

Meanwhile Mr Knowles denied the cutbacks were the result of underfunding or poor
management, and praised the hospital for running a first class institution on budget.

"They are making an adjustment to ensure that they come in on budget at the end of the
year," he told reporters.

The Austin had received $21 million in additional funding this year, and the reduction in
elective surgery would not necessarily blow out waiting lists.

Opposition health spokesman John Thwaites said Victoria had a "Monty Python health system"
which shut down operations when patient numbers increased.

He said the government was destroying Victoria's second largest hospital to soften the
community up for its impending privatisation.

About 800 patients in need of non-urgent surgery would be affected by the hospital's
decision and have to wait longer for treatment.

Mr Thwaites released what he called "begging letters" sent by Ms Williams to members of the
community late last year asking for donations to address "increased budgetary restraints".

AMA state president Gerald Segal said pressure would be placed on other hospitals as the
Austin Hospital patients still needed to be treated.

"The demand from patients is still there, the staff are still there but the government
won't provide the funding," he said.

AAP lmw/ra/gl

KEYWORD: AUSTIN NIGHTLEAD

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