Ageing population will worsen wastage in health

Billions of health dollars are wasted each year and the AMA warns that will increase as we get older.

Billions of dollars are wasted throughout Australia’s health system each year according to the Queensland division of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) – and the ageing population will only exacerbate the problem.

AMA Queensland President Dr Mason Stevenson said conservative calculations put the cost of annual, national health waste between two and four billion dollars.

“The wastage is widespread and is costing lives,” Dr Stevenson said. “The fact no one can pinpoint how much is actually thrown away is evidence of a system in turmoil.”

He added that the ageing population will only intensify current wastage.

“If something isn’t done soon to curb the waste the situation will only get worse,” Dr Stevenson said. “Our ageing population will see more people become reliant on the health system and with more Australians retiring the tax dollar will be stretched.”

AMA Queensland is embarking on a campaign to encourage the Rudd Government to commit to health reform urgently.

“Our health system is sick, but our great fear is all this talk between the States and Commonwealth will amount to nothing but lip service with no real reform,” said Dr Stevenson.

“As doctors are on the frontline it is vital we are heard to ensure genuine reform is achieved instead of just painting over the cracks.”

Tags: ageing-population, ama, health,

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