Reports today have revealed doctors employed at St Vincent’s Hospital on the Park, one of eight surgery hubs established to reduce Victoria’s ballooning elective surgery waitlist, have been informed their contracts will not be renewed next financial year.
These reports come as the Australian Medical Association (AMA) confirms hospitals across Victoria have enacted hiring freezes, reduced elective surgery, and delayed new capital works following a directive from the Allan Labor Government to cut costs.
Labor’s impending health cuts follow the recent State Budget, which confirmed Labor’s debt is set to grow to a record $187.8 billion by 2027-28, with daily interest repayments to reach almost $26 million over the same period.
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said: “The extent of Labor’s savage health cuts will have a devastating impact for health services and their ability to deliver timely and safe health care to Victorian patients.
“Labor’s priorities are all wrong. Whilst cutting health budgets, closing surgery hubs and sacking frontline healthcare staff, the Allan Labor Government continues to press ahead with a $200 billion train line.
“Victorian patients continue to pay the price for Labor’s financial mismanagement as a Melbourne surgery hub is set to close amidst health budget cuts.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our health system and Victorians are paying the price.”
