All major parties vying for seats in this weekend’s State election could do more to protect public health, according to industry leaders.
Public Health Association of Australia’s WA branch said parties should back measures to deliver more for the public health system, including increased spending on preventative health initiatives that would ease pressure on ambulance and hospital systems.
The branch has scored Labor, Liberals, Nationals and the Greens policies against PHAA WA’s six election priorities, including prevention and health promotion.
Using a traffic light system, the scorecard was based on responses to questionnaires sent to each party.
Both Liberal and Labor scored red on ‘increased investment in prevention and health promotion’, while the Greens scored green. The Nationals did not respond, the Association said in a statement.
PHAA WA Branch President Ainslie Sartori said all major parties had done well in areas like maintaining restrictions on electronic pokie machines, but preventative health should be the number one priority.
“We urge all parties to lift it to 5% of the State’s health budget by 2029, in line with recommendations in the Sustainable Health Review Final Report,” she said.
The Labor Party agreed to it before the 2021 election and have renewed the pledge ahead of this weekend’s election, PHAA WA said in a statement.
As part of the branch’s health prevention election priority, it has called on the next WA government to immediately begin reporting on baseline prevention expenditure, increase investment in the public health workforce and employ additional Aboriginal staff.
Among PHAA WA’s other election priorities are commitments to address alcohol’s contribution to gender-based violence and protecting children from the influence of harmful industries.
The RACGP has called on the next State Government to boost access to general practice and make vaccines free for those at risk.
RACGP WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said: “We’re calling for the next government to introduce a funding incentive for GPs who see patients within seven days of an unplanned hospital visit to improve health and reduce pressure on hospitals.
“Research shows seeing a GP after an unexpected hospital visit results in better health outcomes and reduces readmissions to hospital by 32%.
“Another critical area of health to improve for Western Australians is access to vaccines for those at-risk of meningococcal B and respiratory syncytial virus. Making these vaccines free for those most at-risk will save lives and reduce pressure on the state’s overflowing hospitals.”
General practice and health have been a key battleground in the upcoming election, with both Labor and Liberals promising millions in funding to support GPs and improve the State’s public health services.
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Labor
WA Labor have promised $8.2 million for its GP ASK pilot program, which would allow GPs to securely message five medical specialists in paediatrics, immunology, respiratory medicine, spinal surgery and geriatrics to advise on a patient’s care.
It is part of a wider $254 million health pledge, which includes $104.8m to transform Midland Health Campus’ emergency department, $36.3m to expand the WA Virtual Emergency Department program and $104.4m for Royal Perth Hospital, including a new emergency department.
The party has also proposed to expand GPs scope of practice to allow them to diagnose and treat ADHD.
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Liberals
The Liberal Party has promised $140 million to boost GP numbers, support GP practices and provide free GP visits.
Some $26.4m has been earmarked for a $40,000 GP training incentive, $10m for a training fund for high-demand specialists, $60m for free post-discharge GP visits and $5m for GP upskilling for ADHD co-prescribing.
The party has also earmarked $100m over four years to bring down the State’s elective surgery waitlists utilising private providers if surgery cannot be completed in the public system within the recommended time frame.
Nationals
The Nationals have promised $400 million for new and upgraded regional hospitals and healthcare facilities, alongside extending the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme to 50,000 more families.
It has also vowed to establish a dedicated Royal Flying Doctor Service in Geraldton at a cost of $12 million.
Greens
The Greens health policy supports healthcare to be free at the point of delivery for all patients, a well-resourced health workforce who are included in policy development and planning, and easy access to affordable and culturally appropriate primary health care for First Nations people.
No funding has been allocated for healthcare in their election campaign.
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