Doctors and other health professionals agree with the South Australian Government’s assessment federal budget cuts will hurt the state’s health services.
They met SA Health Minister Jack Snelling on Thursday about the Coalition’s move to take the scalpel to healthcare funding.
“There is not a single South Australian who is not going to be touched by cuts on this scale,” Mr Snelling said.
Doctors, nurses and other health professionals all agree with Mr Snelling’s diagnosis.
“An absolute disaster. This is bad, bad, bad for health, Dr Patricia Montanaro of the Australian Medical Association said.
“South Australians have access to a world-class health system. These cuts are going to rip the heart out of that system,” Dr Marc Agzarian of the Salaried Medical Officers Association said.
Their talks in Adelaide ended with a single prescription, a united protest against the measures and plans to meet again next week to plot a way forward.
‘Fight up until the next election’
Nursing Federation official Elizabeth Dabars says the Coalition will be hearing a firm message from SA.
“If we need to, we will fight up until the next federal election. We will not let this go,” she said.
But for now, the SA Government will have to plan for major surgery on its own budget which is due to be delivered soon.
“I’ve also got to get on and prepare for the worst. I can’t wait until 2017-18 for these cuts to really begin to bite. We need to start preparing now,” Mr Snelling said.
The SA Government has ruled out imposing a hospital tax, despite claiming the planned GP visits co-payment will ensure patients with minor illnesses flood hospital emergency departments.
Premier Jay Weatherill also has ruled out supporting any increase to the GST.
“I’m not going to be drawn into the argument about how we respond to these cuts. The first order of business is to hold the Federal Government to account for their promises they would not make these cuts,” he said.
Mr Weatherill will head to Sydney for a meeting on Sunday with other state and territory leaders.
Source: ABC