Noerthern Territory Health Budget Doubles

The Territory Government needs to explain why after the Territory's Health Budget has increased by 89% since it came to office, patients are still being treated in the back of ambulances at Royal Darwin Hospital.

"The Territory Government just isn't getting value for money from our health dollar,” says Matt Conlan, Shadow Minister for Health.

"As recently as Monday two paramedics at the RDH had to look after patients parked in the ambulance bay because the RDH had no beds.

"This is the third time in three weeks that an ambulance had to double as a hospital bed because the RDH was full.

"Since 2001 we've had an 89% increase in health funding and only a 5% increase in population, yet still patients need to line up in ambulances whilst waiting for a hospital bed.

"With a record spend of $915 million there's no excuse for turning ambulances into very expensive hospital beds.

"We need our ambulances available for emergencies, not sitting in the loading bay at the RDH.

"I'm also concerned that the Minister's release carries no details regarding funding for the promised Radiation Oncology Unit for RDH.

"This promise dates from 2001 yet today the Minister is silent regarding funds for developing accommodation options for patients from outside Darwin who would use the facility.

"The Territory Government should also be funding 3 oncology specialist positions at RAH; one registrar and 2 radiation therapists.

"Training Territorian doctors at RAH would result in better continuity of treatment for Territory cancer patients travelling to Adelaide and provide invaluable training for Darwin's future oncology unit.

"Last October's promise that the Unit would be operational by 2009 is obviously going to be broken.

"Again the question needs to be asked - has Darwin's Oncology Unit become a victim of Rudd's razor gang in Canberra?”

2008-04-30