Survey finds majority of SA surgeons don’t support Transforming Health reform plan

MORE than three quarters of South Australian surgeons do not support the implementation process for the state government’s ‘Transforming Health’ agenda, a survey has found.

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MORE than three quarters of South Australian surgeons do not support the implementation process for the state government’s ‘Transforming Health’ agenda a survey has found.

The South Australian branch of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) — with more than 400 members — received survey responses from around 200 members with 84 per cent expressing “major concerns” with Transforming Health.

The results contradict a recent statement by Transforming Health clinical ambassador, Prof Dorothy Keefe, that the controversial plan has the support of “95 per cent of clinicians”.

RACS chair, Dr Sonja Latzel said the survey was undertaken as a direct response to the Professor’s claim.

“We’re not looking to embarrass anyone but it did seem an extraordinary number given you would find it hard to find that number of doctors to agree on anything,” Dr Latzel told The Advertiser on Tuesday.

“We were very interested in discovering what the actual feeling was within the surgical community.”

The Repatriation Hospital will be closing under the Transforming Health program.

Dr Latzel said members had expressed concerns about ‘scaremongering’ from the government and those promoting Transforming Health over doctors who speak out.

“They have been categorising doctors who speak out as having a vested interest and a minority view which wasn’t our perception at all,” Dr Latzel added.

“Our people are committed to treating people in the public system and are concerned about their patients and who will look after them when hospitals like the Repat are closed.

Professor Dorothy Keefe.

Dr Sonja Latzel

“Our members can all work in the private sector and be very happy — they choose to work in the public sector and they want it to be fully supported by government.”

Just under half of those surveyed supported the overall principals of Transforming Health but results revealed significant concerns across a range of patient care issues.

Other findings include.

71 per cent of surgeons have concern with patient safety.

81 per cent of surgeons have concern with patient access to surgical services

74 per cent have concern over the training of future surgeons

Dr Latzel said there had been “limited meaningful consultation” from the Transforming Health team with the rest of the South Australian surgical community.