I HAVE watched with some interest as the considerable forces supporting Ramsay Health Care’s ongoing tenure as deliverers of our local hospital services seem to be increasingly implying the Reclaim the Base Hospital group lacks credibility. Not in my judgement. I think they are asking very appropriate questions. Having only recently met group members, I was very impressed with their understanding of the major issues, their passion for a better health system for Mildura via public ownership, and their integrity. I have to agree with the concerns of those who query the role of the hospital community advisory board. Is its function to primarily support Ramsay Health, the private model and the status quo? I would like to see the board’s official, written terms of reference from the State Government to be made public. It would be even better if the community could also see minutes of the board’s meetings. I would also like to see the advisory board being a little more balanced by having representation from a few of those who are not so supportive of Ramsay Health and the private model. Representatives who will ask the hard questions and be an open conduit between the community to Ramsay. One of the hard questions is whether Ramsay is providing a good service to the community. According to some available statistics and to one prolific local researcher, the answer is clearly yes. But the data is challenged with claim and counterclaim. Ramsay does appear to be an efficient operator as it makes a reasonable profit out of our public hospital through effective management and cost-cutting while ticking a number of performance boxes. But, the critics ask, at what cost to compassionate, flexible, quality care? We could partly test this question by commissioning a stakeholder feedback study by a totally independent researcher who can guarantee confidentiality and can take feedback about the hospital’s workings from those who might have direct experience, such as medical staff, community workers and hospital users. I know that stakeholder feedback is highly valued in the state government-funded sector. There are many other questions that need to be asked and answered before we commit ourselves to another long period of private management. I urge the public to support the Reclaim Mildura Base Hospital group in continuing to push for the answers that will help us get the best and most caring hospital service for our community. Michael Jobe, Mildura and District ALP Branch.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 03:31:31 +0000
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