1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:04,080 Speaker 1: The Australian Medical Association has unveiled its federal election wish 2 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: list and is calling for action to modernize medicare and 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:10,800 Speaker 1: ease pressure on the public health system. It's also seeking 4 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: commitments from the major parties to tackle threats facing the 5 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:19,080 Speaker 1: private health sector and a greater focus on preventative health 6 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:22,479 Speaker 1: by implementing a sugar tax. Now joining us on the 7 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 1: line is the AMA's NT Branch president, Doctor Robert Parker. 8 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: Good morning, Doctor. 9 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:30,520 Speaker 2: Parker, Woman Katie. 10 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: Dr Parker, what changes would the AMA like to see 11 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 1: when it comes to medicare? 12 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 2: Well, I think, as I mentioned on your program previously. 13 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:41,880 Speaker 2: Sorry I'm in a public area. Off the background noise, 14 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 2: that's all right. The actual current medical system was designed 15 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 2: on lost cat kitchen table, you know withersdoy in Melbourne 16 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 2: in nineteen sixty seven with Gotwolman, Cass and Scotland deevil 17 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 2: ent attendments and it's totally outdated. The the time based 18 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:05,479 Speaker 2: system that is currently based on is totally out data 19 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:09,559 Speaker 2: and I think you mentioned it to Minister Butler after 20 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:13,480 Speaker 2: my interview and he agreed with me. The problem is 21 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 2: it's not adapted aid of the aging population. We've got 22 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:20,319 Speaker 2: with multiple medical problems, and the know a lot of 23 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 2: issues with chronic illness, particularly diabetes, respiratory in these cardiac 24 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:30,479 Speaker 2: issues and the as I've put suggestions up for a reformation, 25 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: I think of medicare too much more to accommodate those 26 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 2: issues within primary care, to make it easier for gps 27 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 2: to deal with it. 28 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: So in terms of the changes that you would sort 29 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 1: of like to see, I know that I know we've 30 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: already seen some commitments when it comes to medicare. It 31 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: doesn't sound like they go far. 32 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 2: Enough though, No, I think the AMY has put up 33 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 2: gestions that there be a process where complex illnesses can 34 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 2: be I think funded as a process issue rather than 35 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 2: the time based issue with patients and the general practitioner. 36 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: Now in terms much and in terms of you know, 37 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: what needs to happen to ease you know, or what 38 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 1: needs to happen when you look at this proposed seventier 39 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: rebate structure, I think that's been proposed. How would that 40 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 1: sort of benefit patients and what would it mean I 41 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 1: guess to you know, to a regular person like myself 42 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,079 Speaker 1: or you know, or my children going into to see 43 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 1: a GP or going into you know, to see someone 44 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: when you've got a medical issue. 45 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 2: Well, I suppose it probably doesn't mean a lot to 46 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 2: you in your current youth and state of health all 47 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 2: the children, but as you get older and you develop 48 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 2: more and more chronic illness, it's probably much more appropriate 49 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 2: that stage. 50 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,119 Speaker 1: Now, Dr Parker, I know there needs to be some 51 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 1: work done when it comes to easing pressure on our 52 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:57,640 Speaker 1: public hospitals. What needs to happen in this space from 53 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,040 Speaker 1: the AMA's perspective. 54 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 2: Well, obviously the public hospital system has been underfunded by 55 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 2: both sides of politics for many years, and unfortunately there's 56 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 2: been a sort of catch up with again the aging 57 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 2: population chronic illness which has put tremendous pressure and again 58 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 2: the lack of age care beds, And certainly the promise 59 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 2: by Prime Minister of Uneasy to develop an age care 60 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 2: facility in the territory is very welcome because again there's 61 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 2: a significant problem with our recurrent code yellows that you 62 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 2: and I have discussed over a number of years has 63 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 2: been the people sitting in the hospital beds will be 64 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 2: much been cared for the age care facilities. Yeah, yes, yeah, 65 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 2: certainly funny would be important. 66 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean you and I have spoken about this 67 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: on so many occasions, haven't we, particularly for those age 68 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: care patients. We've spoken to Sushira from the Council of 69 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 1: the Aging about these yesterday. She said, Katie, great announcement, 70 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,440 Speaker 1: but we probably need, you know, a one hundred and 71 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: fifty beads. She reckons that a lot of those beads 72 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: that have been promised or that were promised by the 73 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: PM on Friday, will be taken up almost immediately once 74 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: we've got them. If we end up with them. 75 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 2: Well, we also need people to care for those people, 76 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:20,159 Speaker 2: we understand, you know, and that will probably involve people 77 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 2: from places such as the Philippines getting visas so they 78 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 2: can come over here and work and be appropriately trained. 79 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 2: And that's an issue with itself. I mean I've been 80 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 2: hearing it. For example, the NT has the most incredibly 81 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:36,480 Speaker 2: obstructive bureaucratic issues for workers and workers that were taking 82 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 2: when we were trying to get dal On this is 83 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 2: it was taking months to actually get the visas approved. 84 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 2: Were as bar and Health managed to get similar visas 85 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:48,480 Speaker 2: done in a couple of weeks, which meant all the 86 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:50,919 Speaker 2: nurses rather than coming to the territory. When to bar 87 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 2: On Health in Julong, so obviously there's significant bureaucratic instructions 88 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,440 Speaker 2: within our current health system that save us getting the work. 89 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:02,040 Speaker 2: Is not just the some mortar, it's also the workers 90 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,479 Speaker 2: we require to look after people when they're actually in there. 91 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: So what do you reckon we could do to try 92 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,839 Speaker 1: and make that process a bit easier so we're actually 93 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 1: able to get those workers. 94 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: Well, that's obviously discussion needs to happen with the CEO 95 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 2: of the Health Department another similar department respects. 96 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, hey, doctor Parker Anderson. There's also a bit of 97 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 1: a push from the AMA for a sugar tax. How 98 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 1: would that work and what would it sort of look like? 99 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 2: Well, you're aware, Katie, I mean, he is the most 100 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 2: incredibly difficult epidemic facing Australia currently and it's going to 101 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 2: be getting it it worse, and then more and more 102 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 2: people are going to be suffering from diabetes. Once people 103 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 2: have got it's incredibly you know, it's going to be 104 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 2: a significant number of medical complications, all of which are 105 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 2: very serious and it puts an apart from the stress 106 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 2: for individuals, it also puts a lot of stress on 107 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 2: the health system, you know, requiring macaire of those individuals. 108 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 2: So I suppose a sugar tax is one way of 109 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 2: trying to add a bit of weight into preventedive healthy 110 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 2: people buy rather than buying sugar sugar drinks and other 111 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 2: I think the sugar in them stick to food and 112 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 2: drink that there's less sugar and hopefully prevents your currency 113 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 2: diabetas and do you reckon? 114 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 1: Then if we had a sugar tax, I mean, what 115 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 1: would some of that revenue raised go towards or you know, 116 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 1: would it be able to go towards you know, maybe 117 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 1: other preventative measures or dealing with some of the issues 118 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 1: that we've got when it comes to health. 119 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 2: You would hope so. But I'm always very skeptical about 120 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 2: what the government does with whe the funding it gets 121 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 2: and where it puts it. Anywhere, there's just me and my. 122 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: Older excuse oh, you and me, both you and me 123 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: both doctor Parker. Hey, I want to ask you, sorry. 124 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 2: You go as an example you could actually develop you know, 125 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:57,559 Speaker 2: I know there's been some very good, very good work 126 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 2: done on healthy food in the our Bridge communities and 127 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 2: the shops and I've been in our few communities recently 128 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:05,920 Speaker 2: and be very impressed looking at the stores. What's the 129 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 2: fresher vegetables and other healthy FOD which is really good. 130 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 2: So that's where the money probably should go if it 131 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 2: is actually properly diverted. Okay, on to the next topic. 132 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 1: Well, I want to ask you about the situation and 133 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 1: what the AMA is wanting to see from the Commonwealth 134 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:23,880 Speaker 1: when it comes to private health. I mean, we know 135 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: as territories we've already been impacted by the closure of 136 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:32,440 Speaker 1: maternity services at the Darwin Private Hospital. What is the 137 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: AMA pushing for in this space. 138 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 2: Well, I think the OMA is pushing for a private 139 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 2: health authority to actually look at a the you know, 140 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 2: the provision of private health and the certification of it. 141 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 2: I mean we all know that if the private health 142 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 2: doesn't collapses in Australia, that puts immense pressure already on 143 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 2: a very stressed public health system. But then you've got 144 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:01,239 Speaker 2: issues such as importance of it. I mean, we pointed 145 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 2: out that the Foreign Investment Review Board would have not 146 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 2: allowed the MOB that thought Healthscape to buy power stations 147 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 2: and they just said, oh no, problems. Take a take 148 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 2: by the hospital system and which is on the vergis 149 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 2: collapse now, which is again you have a massive health 150 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 2: impact but also cost impact in terms of pressure on 151 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 2: so that doesn't seem that seems to have totally missed 152 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 2: the Foreign Investment Review Board. 153 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: Which is you know, like how bizarre if you know, 154 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 1: if the Foreign Investment Review Board is reviewing it, and 155 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: you know, reviewing I think it's I'll double check the name. 156 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:45,719 Speaker 1: I think their brook Field, but I could be yeah, 157 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:49,599 Speaker 1: you know, if they're reviewing them buying other things within Australia, 158 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: but to you know, to to buy the health you know, 159 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 1: different assets within the health system, the private health system. 160 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:59,079 Speaker 1: That's quite an unbelievable situation. And now as we are 161 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 1: experiencing know, like we've just touched on here in the 162 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 1: Northern Territory where the maternity services are closing. You know, 163 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:08,679 Speaker 1: it's going to impact Australians. 164 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 2: Exactly and I could have a significant impact on the public. 165 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 2: You know, if healthcoat collapses, that's going to have a 166 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,720 Speaker 2: massive impact on health system in the territory. 167 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 1: Hey, just on the maternity services because a group of 168 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 1: well a group of people have started a petition now 169 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 1: on the closure of the maternity services at the private hospital. Again, 170 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 1: this is something you and I have discussed on numerous occasions. 171 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 1: There's about you know, there's more than five hundred people 172 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: have signed this petition. It's something that is a big 173 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 1: concern to a lot of Territorians. But what are you hearing, 174 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: you know, from doctors, from obstetricians at this point in 175 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: time in terms of that transition once those services cease 176 00:09:58,440 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: at the Darwin Private Hospital. 177 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 2: Well, again there's a significant more pressure on the public hospital, 178 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 2: people potentially not wanting to come to the territory because 179 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 2: they haven't got private ceptric services here, a whole range 180 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 2: of issues. But I suppose the issue is if Healthcope 181 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 2: can't afford it, or it's not they can't budget for it, 182 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 2: then you know it's not a doable issue. But yet 183 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 2: we're going to have major flow on effects. 184 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: Has it been like, have you had much feedback in 185 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 1: terms of you know, like in terms of the long 186 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 1: term or in terms of the plans I suppose for 187 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 1: those wanting to go private or not? Not really at 188 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 1: this point. 189 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 2: No, I haven't heard much feedback on that. 190 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:45,280 Speaker 1: Well, look, we'll stay onto it because as I said, 191 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 1: there's plenty of people that are still pretty worried about this. 192 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 1: I know there's lots of families that they just want 193 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: that choice. And I think that's fair enough if you're paying, 194 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: you know, if you're paying your private health. And then 195 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: when you look at, as you touched on before, the 196 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 1: impact that it's going to have on the public hospital, 197 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: when you've got all these additional patients that are going 198 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: to need to birth at the public hospital. 199 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:07,080 Speaker 2: Now, exactly totally agree, Katie. 200 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 1: Well, Doctor Robert Parker, always good to talk to you. 201 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: I know you're a busy man. Thank you very much 202 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:13,839 Speaker 1: for having a chat with us this morning, no. 203 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 2: Worries, good to talk. 204 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: Thank you.