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College raises key issues ahead of the Australian federal elections The 2022 Australian federal election is almost upon us. This year’s contest of ideas will see the incumbent Morrison Government, challenged by the Labor opposition led by Anthony Albanese. While the early 2022 polling has indicated a lead to the Labor Party, if the last election taught us anything, it is that polling should be treated with caution. Most pundits have agreed that the outcome of this election will be close. They have also agreed that health will be a central component of the campaign, particularly in the context of COVID-19 management and recovery.
As always, before every state, territory and national election, RACS has provided an opportunity for political parties to outline their policy positions on key issues. As always, before every state, territory, and national election, RACS has provided an opportunity for political parties to outline their policy positions on key issues. Once we receive the responses, we will distribute these to our membership and make them available to the wider community through our website. Although this may seem like going through the motions, there have been many examples where RACS has been able to secure firm commitments from political parties prior to an election. One such example was the Tasmanian state election, which was held in 2021. In their election statement the Tasmanian State Committee highlighted issues regarding research governance within the state, which were leading to lengthy delays in the processing of research requests. Based on this advocacy the Committee was able to secure additional support and infrastructure, which has streamlined the process and resolved the issue. Other examples in the past include the abolition of roads without speed limits
in the Northern Territory, and ongoing funding commitments for the various audits of surgical mortality. The 2022 election statement was developed by the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee (HPAC). In compiling the list of priorities, HPAC consulted several RACS committees and interest groups. From this consultation HPAC was able to establish the following nine priorities. Building respectful and safe workplaces for all who work in surgery and the wider health sector Building respect and improving patient safety has been a priority for RACS over many years. But there is still much work to be done to foster professional behaviour that keeps teams performing at their best and patients safe in health settings across Australia. In some areas, work has only just begun and in others, entrenched problems will be solved only by cross-sectoral commitment and collaboration. Among our recommendations was that the next federal government work to implement the full suite of recommendations contained in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work report. This includes legislation to place a positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work. Elective surgery COVID-19 has placed extraordinary pressures on elective surgery procedures. In the short-term RACS has called for a national plan to address the growing and increasingly critical backlog of elective surgeries. More broadly, we have called for long-term funding commitments that deliver permanent, expanded capacity in our public hospital system. Furthermore, we have urged the next Australian federal government to work with state and territory governments on a review of the national definitions for elective surgery urgency categories.
Use of the title surgeon Although under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law many medical specialty titles are restricted, the use of the title ‘surgeon’ is not. This means that those who have not undertaken accredited specialist training in surgery can advertise themselves using terms such as ‘cosmetic surgeon’. This has been a long-term advocacy priority for RACS, and our election position statement has called on all parties to provide their support for legislative change. Ensuring the Medicare Benefit Scheme remains contemporary and provides universal access to the best technologies and services In response to the pandemic, the Australian government introduced temporary telehealth Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) items to ensure safe access to healthcare. RACS welcomed the government’s announcement of ‘permanent telehealth’ in December 2021. However, we do not agree with the decision to restrict access to telehealth in certain circumstances. We have urged all parties to ensure all Australians have appropriate access to specialist telehealth from the initial consultation. In addition to this, we requested close consultation with RACS and other peak medical groups on the continuous review of the MBS. Ensuring our mixed healthcare system continues to thrive Australia’s unique health system, with universal public access supported by a strong private sector, which alleviates pressure on public waiting lists, has made our health system one of the best in the world. However, it is widely acknowledged this system is in trouble with private health insurance rates in a long-term downward trend, particularly among the young. At the same time, especially in the context of the pandemic, public waiting lists are blowing out. The election statement highlighted these concerns and requested policy responses to several specific questions.
