The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) congratulates the Hon Mark Butler MP on his appointment to Federal Cabinet as the new Health and Aged Care Minister and Deputy Leader of the House.
“We look forward to working with the Minister, and the newly elected Albanese Labor government to ensure critical health care issues are addressed and sound policies are implemented.”
“Anaesthetists play a pivotal role in both public and private health care. This has been highlighted during our country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Each year Anaesthetists are involved in over 4 million procedures in Australia. They specialise in a wide variety of clinical areas including critical care, cardiac, obstetric and paediatric medicine.
As the COVID-19 Pandemic evolves, the ASA recognises there are mounting challenges facing the government.
Both the public and private systems are overloaded due to under-funding and staff shortages at a time when they are trying to catch up on delayed elective procedures and deal with ongoing COVID-19 and influenza admissions through winter.
“The ASA calls for an increased Federal contribution to public healthcare, and more support for Anaesthetists who undertake care of public patients in private health care systems to ensure patients safety and sustainability of this vital workforce.”
Attempts to introduce bundled and managed care, where insurance companies dictate clinical decisions, must be resisted.
The ASA congratulates Minister Butler and the newly elected Albanese government and looks forward to working with them to ensure all Australians continue to access excellent anaesthesia services in the myriad of diverse settings that they are required.
Quotes can be attributed to Dr Andrew Miller, President ASA.
For all media enquiries, please contact: Richelle Pellegrini 0402 244 846 or email – news@asa.org.au