Budget cuts and recruitment freezing deepens health crisis, Bath says

VICTORIA’S public health system is in crisis – hiring freezes, reduced elective surgeries and even “turn the lights off” directives to save a dollar.

Regional hospitals are bearing the brunt, instructed to slash costs by up to 30 percent.

The Allan Labor Government’s apparent strategy to reduce hospital funding includes the potential consolidation of Victoria’s 75 public health services into a mere 12.

This move threatens to undermine healthcare accessibility and quality particularly in regional and rural areas.

Unfortunately for patients in our public health system, these cuts are likely to impact the availability of critical allied health services.

Allied health professionals bring invaluable expertise to patient care, rehabilitation, and recovery, yet under Labor they are now considered ‘optional or disposable’.

These specialists play a crucial role in treatment and patient recovery, specialising in chronic disease management, aged care, disability support, rehabilitation, and mental health. They also prevent readmission.

Modern public healthcare demands an integrated approach to achieve the best patient outcomes.

Cuts to our public health system is neglectful.

The Nationals support the prioritisation of integrated patient care and back all our healthcare workers.

Shockingly, the bad news and budget cuts under Labor keep on piling up.

The Allan Labor Government can’t manage money, can’t manage public healthcare and tragically, Victorian patients are paying the price.

Melina Bath MP, The Nationals 
Member for Eastern Victoria Region