Health Services Neglected Despite Increased GST Income

The Territory Government has been making much out of the extra millions that it has been funnelling into health funding since its boosted GST income has allowed it to spend more in the area of health. Nevertheless results for the delivery of health services have declined to the extra-ordinary level where senior doctors are calling for a Royal Commission.

"What on earth is going on?” Shadow Minister for Health, Dr Lim asked today.

"It is clear that in NT Health, more money doesn't lead to better services. The recent events in Kalkaringi and Alice Springs with patients being left abandoned; increasing dissatisfaction amongst nursing and medical staff over working conditions; and the recent revelation that there has been no elective surgery at the Royal Darwin Hospital, shows that there are chronic systemic failings in the Health Department.

"It is clear that the former Health Minister Peter Toyne struggled with effective delivery of the portfolio and the new Minister Chris Burns has had to start his job in damage control mode.

"The problem is that the Chief Minister has stood back from her oversight role and has allowed the problems to continue, so as to prevent herself from being dragged into the issues surrounding health.

"The time has come for her to take personal ownership of the difficult areas of Government rather than just being the Minister for hard hats and photo opportunities.

"The problem is that every day passes without effective controls by an elected government, but instead, relegated to a failing bureaucracy, which is more interested in budgets than good patient outcomes. It is just another day where average Territorians have to put up with poor outcomes.

"The glitter of the Waterfront development is blinding the Chief Minister to the many failings of government, and health delivery being one of the biggest at the moment. This is costing Territorians dearly, not only in dollars going into the project, but also in the failure to deliver good health outcomes.

"Whilst the CLP supports the development of the Waterfront area we also understand that there are important areas of service delivery. These areas are not being addressed.”

2006-09-07