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State Budget 2024-25: AMA (WA) calls for strategy for more doctors
Thursday May 9, 2024
The 2024-25 State Budget lays bare the challenges facing the WA health system and the ever-growing need to address doctor shortages that impact the effective delivery of healthcare to all Western Australians.
With the State’s population set to pass three million next financial year and the population increasing by 94,000 just in the last financial year, the increase in demand for health services is obvious. In its $12.8 billion health budget for 2024-25, the Government has allocated $1.2 billion for public hospital services to offset some of this demand.
However, AMA (WA) President Dr Michael Page said it was evident that much more will need to be done to address the shortage of doctors.
“The Government has added 1,800 full-time equivalent doctors since 2016-17, but bold initiatives will be required to ensure a pipeline of doctors to address ongoing demand. Other states have been far more adventurous in creating packages to incentivise doctors to move to their jurisdictions,” he said.
Health and Mental Health account for 30% of the State’s recurrent spending, by far the highest expenditure of all sectors.
“However, with a surplus of $3.2 billion expected in 2023-24, a forecast operating surplus of $2.6 billion for 2024-25, and surpluses continuing across the forward estimates, we see further scope to fund the crucial role played by doctors in this most crucial of sectors,” Dr Page said.
The Government believes it is tracking well in starting to turn around chronic ambulance ramping and reducing elective surgery wait times.
Dr Page said our doctors were at the forefront of these initiatives, treating patients in highly pressurised environments.
“Our Hospital Health Check survey of junior doctors, released this week, showed the impact of emergency department demand on the well-being of our workforce.
“We support initiatives contained in the Government’s Ramping Strategy, including an additional $28 million towards the WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED) and $6.2 million for the Patient Transport Coordination Hub.
“An investment of $7.9 million to support stage one of the Mental Health Co-Response Ambulance Pilot to divert mention mental health patients is also welcome.”
The Government has allocated $260 million towards mental health and alcohol and other drug services, while some $405 million of the health budget is directed to the regions, a vital pipeline in this vast State.
Investing in digital capabilities for the future with a $200 million package was welcomed by Dr Page.
“As the Government has acknowledged, the digitisation of the health system is recognised as a critical enabler of a safe, high-quality and sustainable system that meets modern standards.
“The Government’s ongoing progress to establish a statewide Electronic Medical Record, including $104.1 million to prepare and undertake procurement planning and design initiatives, brings us a step closer to realising this vision.”
As part of a total of $3.3 billion in infrastructure investment, including an additional $839 million in this budget, redevelopment will be funded for Bunbury Regional Hospital, Geraldton Health Campus and Peel Health Campus.
Work continues on plans for the new Women and Babies Hospital.
“While appreciating the substantial and prudent allocation already funded of $1.8 billion towards that project, the complexity of the build and effect on services throughout the metropolitan area suggest further substantial allocations will be required to ensure WA’s newborns get the best possible start to life,” Dr Page said.
The Government notes that: “Like all comparable health systems nationally and internationally, WA Health will continue to face the challenges of growing demand for healthcare, not only due to population growth but also the complex and increasing challenges that come with an ageing population, growing rates of chronic disease, obesity and mental illness.”
“The AMA (WA) believes the Government has an ongoing responsibility to develop a targeted, streamlined approach to ensuring it has the medical workforce capacity to cope with the challenges it has outlined,” Dr Page said.
“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure these objectives are met, including negotiating a fair and equitable Industrial Agreement for WA public hospital doctors this year. The health of all Western Australians is fundamental to the ongoing prosperity of this State. A well-funded medical workforce goes a long way to ensuring that objective is met.”
