Govt Health Workforce Planning A Sick Joke

Heather Roy
Monday, 17 July 2006
Press Releases - Health

Millions of dollars have been poured into the Health Workforce Advisory Committee, and the 'action committee' on the health workforce announced two months ago still doesn't exist, according to parliamentary questions received by ACT's Health Spokesman, Heather Roy.

"After six years and almost $3.5 million, the Health Workforce Advisory Committee (HWAC) has failed to produce any practical recommendations for the government", Mrs Roy said.

"Last year, HWAC received $934,207. According to the HWAC website, they produced just one media release and four publications in that time, including their annual report.

"Meanwhile, surveys show that almost a third of General Practitioners are looking to change jobs within five years.

"On 26 May, the Minister of Health announced the committee would be transformed into an 'action committee on health workforce'. Almost two months later, this group has no members, no name and no budget.

"The Minister's 'action committee' is still just a figment of his imagination, while the workforce crisis is a nightmare for those struggling to make staff numbers stretch.

"Meanwhile, patients continue waiting to see a specialist, or to get the treatment they need.

"The Minister's right to want changes to HWAC - but he needs to take
action, not just talk about it", Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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