Council
24 October, 2024
More specialist clinics are needed, MP warns
MEMBER for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield has called on the government to “significantly” expand public outpatient specialist clinics across Victoria.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Dr Mansfield said cost of living pressures were forcing families to choose between keeping a roof over their heads, putting food on the table and seeking medical treatment.
“No one should have to make those sorts of choices,” she said.
“In a country that claims to provide universal health care access, everyone should be able to access the care that they need when and where they need it, but currently they cannot.
“Out-of-pocket costs for all types of health care have been rising for decades.
“While there has been plenty of focus on the cost of seeing a GP, what is no less of a problem is the cost of seeing other specialists like cardiologists, surgeons, psychiatrists and paediatricians.
“Fees being charged by private specialists for a consultation or an in-office procedure have been steadily growing and are frequently hundreds of dollars in excess of the Medicare rebate - these appointments are not covered by private health insurance either if you can afford that.”
Dr Mansfield said specialist outpatient services were available at public hospitals, but what services were available varied “enormously” between health services and involved significant waiting times.
“A classic illustration is ear, nose and throat outpatient assessments for children - waiting lists are not uncommonly over three years for things like an assessment for grommets or a tonsillectomy,” she said.
“Chronically blocked ears can limit language and hearing development, while sleep apnoea from chronically enlarged tonsils can have profound impacts on children’s behaviour.
“Accessing treatment for this can be literally life-changing, yet I saw countless families who were unable to access timely care or had to make financially crushing decisions to pull together many thousands of dollars to pay for private care.
“The same goes with paediatric care, especially for kids who require a developmental assessment because there is a concern about their learning or behaviour, or for a young person with severe acne that requires treatment that only a dermatologist is legally allowed to prescribe.”
Dr Mansfield called on Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas to ensure all had fair, affordable access to the services they require.
“Illness does not discriminate based on income or where you live, so why should access to the specialist who can provide the care that you need be based on these things?” she said.
“Outpatient specialists are entirely within the state government’s remit, and they can and should be doing better.”
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