State government accused of blame shifting as health inquiry findings released
An inquiry into Queensland’s shattered health system has been slammed as a farce, with the Palaszczuk government targeted in only four out of 40 recommendations.
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An inquiry into Queensland’s shattered health system has been slammed as a farce, with only four of 40-plus recommendations aimed at the Palaszczuk government which is responsible for the department.
The inquiry – released on the eve of the election – left the other 36 recommendations to hinge on the federal government.
Opposition MPs have slammed as farcical the holding of a parliamentary inquiry into the state’s health crisis that completely ignored Queensland Health’s own problems and important opportunities to improve them.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath asked the Health and Environment Committee in November to examine the problem-plagued health system – but only the parts the commonwealth is responsible for – in a move that left hospital insiders gobsmacked.
Its report, handed down in time for the federal election, makes 44 recommendations, only 14 of which mention the Queensland government,
Only four direct the state government to any action achievable without commonwealth agreement.
Opposition MP members Rob Molhoek and Sam O’Connor produced a savage, dissenting report within the committee’s report, saying they had tried in vain to engage in the inquiry, but their efforts were thwarted.
“For more than five years, Queensland Health’s ability to treat patients quickly and on time has significantly slipped,” their report said. “From how long it takes for an ambulance to arrive, through to waiting times to see a specialist, our public health system is buckling under extreme pressure.
“Yet, in the midst of this crisis for which it is ultimately responsible, the state government chose to launch a parliamentary inquiry into everything but Queensland Health. It beggars belief.”
The pair labelled the government “contemptuous” in its treatment of the parliament’s committee system, using its time and resources “for the political advantage” of Labor.
“This inquiry has been used as a political weapon to blame the commonwealth government for the significant problems across Queensland’s public health system in the shadows of a federal election,” they wrote.
The 40 recommendations include that the Australian government go halves in funding public hospitals, pay its “fair share” of emergency department costs, reimburse the costs of aged care and disability patients who stay long-term in hospitals and “comprehensively” reform the Medicare Benefits Scheme.
Four recommendations solely for the state include it review hospital discharge policies, provide a progress update to earlier recommendations, and “explores options” to invest in early intervention program to prevent chronic conditions.
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Professor Chris Perry said the report “smacks of blame shifting”.
“(This report) helps a federal Labor campaign when what we really need are state and federal governments to collaborate on solutions, instead of ducking and weaving to point the finger at each other,” he said.
“The Queensland state government has not provided an adequate response to our Ramping Roundtable Action Plan that has clear and realistic steps to address hospital bed block and ambulance ramping.”
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