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Martin Cameron condemns Victoria's failing health system and blames Allen Labor government for risking lives and mismanagement

Martin Cameron criticises Victoria's ailing health system, citing high wages for anaesthetists and a backlog of surgeries. He blames Labor for mismanagement, claiming lives are at stake due to underinvestment.

By news@gippsland - 13th February 2024 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, says the state's health system is "seriously crooked", and regional Victorians are paying the price. It comes as Latrobe Regional Health is forced to offer anaesthetists huge daily wages of up to $10,000 in efforts to keep its surgery program operating. "This is a symptom of much broader issues with the health system that have combined to create a perfect storm," Mr Cameron said.

Martin Cameron identifies broader health system issues, including a critical shortage of professionals, a surgery backlog, and competitive pricing for care

Healthcare crisis urgency

Mr Cameron said, "There is a critical shortage of health professionals, particularly in regional Victoria, and a huge backlog of elective surgeries. Our hospitals are under immense pressure because Labor is scrambling to bring the ballooning surgery waitlist under control. Doctors are a hot commodity and hospitals are now outpricing each other in the market, but there shouldn't be bidding wars for lifesaving healthcare."

In the past financial year, 1395 Victorians were removed from the elective surgery waitlist because they tragically died. "Years of waste, mismanagement, and underinvestment by Labor means our healthcare system is sick and it's costing lives. Every Victorian deserves to get the best care when they need it, where they need it. Premier Allan can't manage money, can't manage the seriously ill health system, and Victorians are paying the price," Mr Cameron said.

Pictures from Latrobe Regional Health Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com