AMA Queensland is calling on the three major political parties to place workable, well-founded health policy firmly on their agenda during the forthcoming election.

With elective surgery waiting lists still blowing out, a critical shortage of beds and reports promised cultural changes are not occurring, AMA Queensland President Dr Zelle Hodge said it was time for the major parties to demonstrate their commitment to this crucial portfolio.

More specifically AMA Queensland is calling on the Government and the Opposition to demonstrate how they intend to address infrastructure, in particular the lack of beds in the State’s public hospitals.

“Beds, especially intensive care beds, are central to many of the issues currently plaguing Queensland Health,” Dr Hodge said.

“Amongst other things, adequate beds are integral to moving through surgery lists, easing pressure on emergency departments, treating enough patients and training doctors,” she said.

AMA Queensland also wants to see a commitment to long-term sensible strategic planning problems.

“Planning needs to be addressed by people with a true understanding of the historical problems of Queensland in the areas of service delivery and training,” Dr Hodge said.

“The issues plaguing Queensland Health now are as a result of nearly twenty years of under-funding and under-resourcing.

“We do not want to see the same lack of foresight again when it comes to health planning,” she said.

Queensland is growing at a rate of 1500 people a week and this has put enormous pressure on essential services such as health.

“Our hospitals are struggling to keep up,” Dr Hodge said.

“There has to be a solid commitment to future planning – decisions based on good health policy, not political expediency, are essential.

AMA Queensland will take both the State Government and the Opposition to task in the lead-up to the Election with a set of hard-hitting questions testing their commitment to a healthy Queensland.

The leaders of both parties will be given a list of health questions to answer for the Queensland electorate.

“Queenslanders will be making a major decision on 9 September, so we want to ensure they receive a clear outlook on what health will be like in Queensland under the leadership of each party,” Dr Hodge said.

Ends.

CONTACT: Kate Van Poelgeest on 3872 2221 or 0400 110 565