Australian Medical Association (NSW), Media Release, 24 August 2023

AMA NSW President Dr Michael Bonning has slammed the NSW Government for announcing a Special Commission of Inquiry focused on cuts to hospital care. 

The Minns Government has announced a Special Commission of Inquiry into health funding. The Special Commission follows on from a number of other reviews and inquiries announced by this government and in the wake of similar inquiries in past decades which have done little to improve the state’s health system and in many cases the outcomes have been ignored by government.”

In announcing the inquiry, Minister Park indicated that its focus would be on diverting funding and resourcing away from emergency care in our public hospital system. 

Dr Bonning said “As a GP, I agree the health system needs to recognise the crisis in general practice. However, the primary responsibility of the NSW Government is to fund our public hospital services. Suggesting cuts to those services is dangerous and will harm patient care.”

Minister Park also doubled down on his government’s attacks on Visiting Medical Officers, continuing to compare them to locums despite being directly advised of the vital role of Visiting Medical Officers. 

“The VMO arrangement is just a different way of paying people. Unlike locums, who fill short term gaps, VMOs usually have five-year contracts and usually take back-to-back contracts, meaning they are essential parts of communities for decades.” Dr Bonning said.

“This inquiry, which is likely to cost $80-$100million, risks the NSW Health system’s status as Australia’s best performing hospital system, at a time when the state is struggling to keep doctors who are moving to other states with better conditions.’’

“The NSW Health system and all who work in it showed incredible resilience and capacity to meet overwhelming challenges in response to the biggest health threat in a generation. They are the ones who know what to do so why not listen to them.” Dr Bonning said.

“This is not what we need now. As the Commonwealth is negotiating the National Health Funding Agreement, the Minns Government should be standing up for NSW hospitals and demanding greater funding.’’