Health spending should be “treated as an investment, rather than a cost”, placing a greater focus on preventive health, mental health, and increasing support for general practice, according to Professor Steve Robson, President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
Prof Robson was responding to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) latest report, Australia’s health 2024, which found Australia has one of the world’s longest life expectancies due to its health system and welltrained medical workforce.1
The report revealed boys and girls born in Australia today can expect to live 81.2 years and 85.3 years respectively; an increase of about 40% since the start of the 20th century and the fourth best among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries.
“While there are many positives to take from this report, there are also red flags and warnings that governments must pay attention to,” Professor Robson observed. “Australians are spending an increasing number of years, on average, in ill health, which is placing more pressure and demand on the health system.”
The report found 50% of patients were admitted for planned surgery within 49 days of being placed on the waiting list, up from 40 days the previous year. Additionally, 9.6% of patients waited longer than 365 days, up from 6.3%.
Prof Robson called for “immediate action from all governments to address the public hospital logjam crisis, as it is unacceptable to have such long wait times in emergency departments and for surgery”.
Reference
- Australia’s health 2024. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Available at aihw.gov. au/reports-data/australias-health.
