WEST Australian Health Minister Kim Hames says it bothers him that the Australian Medical Association keeps criticising government projects.
DR Hames told parliament on Thursday he was becoming a little concerned about the AMA’s comments on issues including Curtin Medical School, Healthway, Royal Perth and Midland hospitals and pharmacists.
“It seems every single day we see a new development that government has lost the plot on health,” Dr Hames said. “The AMA should know the government has done a massive amount for health in this state.” Dr Hames said he had been told there was a strong pull at AMA board meetings to excessively focus on him as the minister, and the government. He said the group should have a greater focus on patient care and its members. His comments come a day after AMA state president Michael Gannon said the government needed to keep its promise to keep Royal Perth Hospital alive. WA Treasurer Mike Nahan told AAP on Wednesday demolishing the outdated building was a possibility despite a previous commitment to a $180 million revamp. The AMA has also this week slammed the state government on its decision to open a third medical school in WA and the restructuring of health promotion foundation Healthway.