Australian Medical Association Sounds Alarm on Public Hospital Crisis

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has released a report card revealing that the public hospital system in Australia is in urgent need of attention. The report found that planned surgery wait times in public hospitals are now the longest on record, with the median wait time reaching 49 days in 2022/23, up from 27 days in 2001/02. The nine-day increase in the past two years is the largest jump on record, matched only by the period directly affected by COVID-19.

According to the report, emergency departments also remain strained due to access block, with the national average of ED patients being seen on time at the lowest level in the past 10 years across all categories except resuscitation. The proportion of patients receiving category two planned surgeries, such as heart valve replacements and fracture surgeries, has fallen to the lowest levels on record.

Why this matters: The AMA's report highlights the significant challenges facing Australia's public hospital system, which is struggling to keep up with the growing and aging population. The chronic underfunding and staff shortages are leading to longer wait times and compromised patient care, underscoring the urgent need for government action to address this national health crisis.

The AMA has written to all health ministers, urging them to agree to a $4.12 billion plan to address the planned surgery backlog, split between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, as a time-limited measure while a new National Hospital Funding Agreement is negotiated. Despite the federal government's announcement of increased public funding for the hospital system, the additional funds are not set to take effect until 2025.

AMA president Steve Robson called for urgent action, stating, "It is unacceptable that Australians are now waiting almost twice as long on average for planned surgery than they were 20 years ago." Federal Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged the pressure on the public hospital system and said that jurisdictions were working on a new hospital funding agreement.

Key Takeaways

• AMA report card shows Australia's public hospitals in urgent need of attention.
• Planned surgery wait times in public hospitals reached a record high of 49 days.
• Emergency departments face access block, with fewer patients seen on time.
• Chronic underfunding and staff shortages compromise patient care in public hospitals.
• AMA calls for $4.12 billion plan to address surgery backlog, as new funding delayed.