Health Staff Shouldn’t Be Victims Of Funding Shortfalls

Media Statement For Immediate Release,
Tuesday 22 May 2012

“Health Staff Shouldn’t Be Victims Of Funding Shortfalls”

“Health staff should not be the victims of funding shortfalls,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today. Mr Powell was responding to suggestions that the Waikato District Health Board might introduce a hiring freeze and only allow very low salary increases at most.

“These would be short-sighted responses to the fact that government funding for the public health system is less that its financial cost pressures. It is hospital specialists and other staff that hold public hospitals together. They should not be blamed for this funding failure.”

“The best way of achieving cost effectiveness is to focus on quality improvement for patients. The more quality improves, the more cost effectiveness also improves. DHBs like Waikato need to support their health professionals; not penalise them.”

“The last thing patients need are short-sighted decisions that devalue senior doctors and other health professionals, increase their workload, and increase the risk of burn-out,” concluded Mr Powell.

ENDS

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