It seems to me there is not a doctor anywhere whose workload is not almost overwhelming. Many have had to close off their patient lists and the Emergency Wards of public hospitals are equally overwhelmed.
Why then does the Australian Medical assocation resist so vehemently Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s proposal for doctors to relinquish their monopoly on procedures which can be done safely by other professionals, such as delivering babies, issuing repeat prescriptions and wound management.
Roxon, who from the start has been a forward thinking Minister, called at the called for an end to the "historical anomaly" of doctor-dominated health care. She was speaking in Bathurst at the "Light on the Hill" oration, which commemorates Prime Minister Ben Chifley, who fought an intense campaign by doctors against the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, established in 1948.
Ms Roxon recalled Labor also had to overcome entrenched resistance from doctors to introduce Medibank, then Medicare.
Unfortunately, in the present negotiation with the president of the Australian Medical Association, Rosanna Capolingua. Minister Roxon already has a combative relationship.
Toowoomba and Darling Downs political and social commentary. Print copies of this newsletter may be ordered from Toowoomba's Office Works, phone 4699-5300
Story Tips
Please email comments, story ideas or news tips to hughbingham@bigpond.com.
Hugh Bingham
Blog Archive
About Hugh Bingham
Bingham is a career journalist with experience in State and Federal politics. He has been Editor of the Sunday Truth, the Sydney Sunday Mirror, Associate Editor of the Sydney Daily Mirror, and has reported overseas for The Australian.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
Posts
