Minister Ryan Park says a royal commission-style inquiry will examine the entire NSW health system, including a root-and-branch review of the state’s hospitals.
NSW is paying millions of dollars to third-party companies responsible for finding temporary doctors and nurses to plug gaps in critically understaffed NSW hospitals, something Park said would be a focus.
Park said he was particularly concerned with the more than $1 billion the state spends annually on locum doctors and visiting specialists, particularly in regional areas. “We’re spending an enormously large amount of money on locums. Now, we need them, they’re important, but we have got to have a look at that and whether it’s the most efficient use of resources,” he said.
But, he said, the commission would inform “what discussions I might be able to have with the Commonwealth” on funding reform.The special commission of inquiry was a key demand of the powerful Health Services Union before the election. Its outspoken secretary, Gerard Hayes, believes billions of dollars in wastage can be saved, which he wants to be redirected to staff.
While Park said he would wait for the inquiry’s findings – its terms of reference include reviewing the “capacity and capability” of the workforce is sufficient to meet the growing demand on the health system – he said “part of that is making sure we keep the staff delivering that health care”.The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NDIS not a ‘limitless Magic Pudding’ as reviewers suggest major changesA rebooted disability system should deliver baseline services to all people with a disability, especially children, rather than focus on individual NDIS packages.
Read more »
First home, not HECS: Parents not helping with student debt despite hikesThe bank of mum and dad is not extending its generosity to paying down student debt despite this year’s large increase in the indexation rate applied to the debt.
Read more »
First home, not HECS: Parents not helping with student debt despite hikesThe Bank of Mum and Dad is not extending its generosity to paying down student debt despite this year’s large increase in the indexation rate applied to the debt.
Read more »
Latham quits One Nation, accuses Hanson of rorting NSWMark Latham on Tuesday accused Pauline Hanson’s federal party of financial impropriety in an extraordinary session of parliament where he quit for the crossbench.
Read more »
New Australian language being introduced at NSW schoolsAustralian Sign Language also known as Auslan will be offered as an elective to increase inclusiveness and address a shortage of interpreters.
Read more »
Mark Latham quits One Nation after being sacked by Pauline Hanson as party’s NSW leaderMark Latham has quit One Nation to sit as an independent in the NSW parliament after Pauline Hanson intervened to have him fired
Read more »