Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now as part of the Northern Territory budget, we know
the government's announced a record what they say is a
record two point three to three billion dollar budget to
deliver safe and high quality health services for Territorians. The
Minister for Health, the Mental Health and Alcohol Policy Steve Edgington,
saying the budget for the Northern Territory Health Department provided
an increase of two hundred and seventy three million dollars
(00:22):
from two point zero six billion in twenty twenty four.
Joining us on the line is doctor Robert Parker, the
president of the AMA, the Australian Medical Association here in
the Northern Territory. Good morning to you, doctor Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Oh okay, it's not much longer. I stepping down the
AGM in a week's time.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
In a week's time, oh well, we will no doubt
be talking to the new president, I'm sure, but it's
we've appreciated all your time. Now, First off, what did
you make of the Northern Territory budget when it comes
to what is in it for health?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well, again, it's really good to have there all that
extra money, but again it actually reflects real funding. The
territory health budget's been underfunded for many years by both
sides of politics. And again there was a really unfortunate
situation a while back with the the achievement is the
scolding marker that then CEO for overspending by two hundred million,
(01:18):
but that reflected the fact that that the budget didn't
reflect the real need the health services and the territory
and Marco's credit he started that it's got some of
the Commonwealth about the extra funding that's flowing in. So
I mean, I think the budget incorporates an extra funding
in the current year and obviously the money that's been
promised by the FEDS for the next financial year.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
And so in terms of some of the areas where
we are seeing additional funding, I mean, what are the
big wins? Are there any big wins?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Well, again, mental health got the extra funding. I mean again,
we had the bricks and mortar for the new building,
but we didn't have any money for beds or staff.
So it's really good to see that we extra money
so we can buy some beds and actually have realistic
funding for keeping staff from the building.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
It seems unbelievable, doctor Parker, that we build things but
then we don't actually have the money set aside. For
you know, to staff those things.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
That's right anyway, So it's good to see that the
government's provided money for that. And you know, the money
for primary care is welcome, and again I think that's
been pointed out that you know, increased funding for primary
care is a very welcome situation. Primary care is the
cheapest fool of fear to keep it all the hospital.
So hopefully that will produce the pressure on RDH.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Doctor Parker, is there anywhere that we're falling short from
what you can see?
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Oh, we're falling short all the time. And I mean,
as you'll be aware, you know, the code code frequent,
code yellows, even though the current government's a bit reluctant
to talk about code yellows. But the hospital, you know,
there's the constant pressure on RDH that you and I
have talked about over a number of years. It hasn't
gone away. So I suppose the extra funding will help
the hospital help cope with that presucal degree and certainly
(03:03):
you know, the extra money in the primary care well
hopefully alleviate by stopping preventable admission or alleviate the pressure.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Do you reckon we're still having those code yellows but
not publicly saying it, or do you do you think
they're not happening at the moment.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
That's my understanding that we're not allowed to call them
as my understanding really, but they're significant pressure, but we're
not allowed to call code. That's the understanding.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
So has that been a directive from your understanding.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
From the from the understanding, My understanding is yes, but
there's been certain pressure. Is not the not the call
code yellows when we've actually had a situation which requires
a code yellow?
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Is that like a danger from your perspective, or do
you think that you're on the risk of you know,
of the of that sort of I don't know, creating
any problems when you're actually not prepared to call it
or you're telling stuff not too well.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Again, the staff at RDHI always cope. We aren't going
to pay tribute to all the staff at RDH, whether
they be doctors, nurses, ots, cleaners, you know, people in
the kitchen will always help CAPE with that. Just I
suppose it just adds further pressure when we realize that
you probably needs a more formal response.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Yeah, I mean that seems crazy to me, Like I
think if you if you under pressure and there is
a different coding system that might like my understanding is
that something that's choos right around Australia, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
That's right? Yeah anyway, Yeah, but the Minister usually has
to announce the Coke yellow.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Well, we might have to ask about that at some
point in time, Dr Parker another just something sort of
I guess you know that's been running kind of parallel.
I suppose you would say to all the other issues
that we're constantly talking about. But we know that there's
reports in the Australian newspaper that Health Scopes Board this
week have effectively pleaded for bankers to take control of
the hospitals, allowing its Brookfield back to directors to walk away.
(05:03):
I suppose some listeners are questioning if there should have
been funds allocated in the budget as a reserve to
bail out the Darwin private hospital if necessary.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yes, I mean it's a significant concern for am a
MT and we have been under we have been having
continuing discussions with the CEO about a crisis plan for
exactly that issue in case something happens. Yes, so that
that may have to happen. I mean it's an absolute
freaking disaster for help and Australia. What's happened with healthcale
(05:37):
And actually this week we had a letter to the
Prime Minister suggesting that the Foreign Investment Review Board actually
needs to put health on its radar. I mean currently
agriculture and media have increased surveillance by the Foreign Investment
Review Board because of the potential impact on things, and
health basically went under the radar. So following the absolute
(06:00):
with Brookfield and healthscape and the impact has had basically
potentially transferring a massive cost impulse impost cost from the
private of the public sector, the tax players. I think
health needs to be I have a much higher surveillance
under with a Foreign Investment Review Board that reason.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Do you I mean, do you think that we could
end up in a situation here where you know, we're
the private hospital, the Darwin private hospital, you know like that,
I don't know, could it close?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Well? The government, I think you'll have to keep it
open because of you know, the massive extra pressure on
RDH that may be involved getting another party interests such
as Ramsey, or it may involve the government having to
spend extra money to keep the whole thing going. So yes,
it's a it's a situation that we have been in
discussion about with the government now for quite a while.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Okay, so the AMA is certainly continuing those discussions and
will continue to. I mean, like you've touched on, would
be a disaster if we wound up in a situation
where the dal and private hospital you know where the
I don't know, like where the private the private funders
stepped away, and the impact that it would have on
(07:13):
the Royal Darwin Hospital, I would imagine would be enormous.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
That's correct, which is why you know, we're very concerned.
I suppose the way the way the Department and the
government respond to this crisis, which is really not you know,
it's not there making unfortunately, it was really a federal
responsibility what happened with Brookfield, you know, and the lack
of surveillance about the potential impact of what Broxville did.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Did you get any response yet from the Prime Minister
or did you just write earlier this week Dr Parker.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Having any response yet and I'm not expecting one of these.
I mean, really it's a treasurer or decision. I mean,
the Treasurer controls what happens with the Foreign Investment Review Board,
not the Health Minister. So that's why I wrote to
the PM rather than the Health Minister, because it really
is a treasure responsibility on how the Foreign Investment Review
Board opera look.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
I think it's a very fair fair point to make,
and no doubt we'll continue talking about it. But we
will talk to you again soon, Dr Parker. Again, we
may not talk to you before you before you finish
up as the president.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
It's been eleven years, Katy, and it's been interesting.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Oh you would have seen some interesting things over those
eleven years.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yes, it's certainly been interesting time and again it's been
a great privilege to serve both the medical provision and
the public of a character during that time.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Well, Doctor Robert Parker, I have always appreciated the time
that you give to us on the show. I know
that you are a very busy man and really appreciate
the time that you take to speak to me and
to our listeners. So thank you very much for all
the work that you've done.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
My pleasure, Katy.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Thank you
Now as part of the Northern Territory budget, we know
the government's announced a record what they say is a
record two point three to three billion dollar budget to
deliver safe and high quality health services for Territorians. The
Minister for Health, the Mental Health and Alcohol Policy Steve Edgington,
saying the budget for the Northern Territory Health Department provided
an increase of two hundred and seventy three million dollars
(00:22):
from two point zero six billion in twenty twenty four.
Joining us on the line is doctor Robert Parker, the
president of the AMA, the Australian Medical Association here in
the Northern Territory. Good morning to you, doctor Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Oh okay, it's not much longer. I stepping down the
AGM in a week's time.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
In a week's time, oh well, we will no doubt
be talking to the new president, I'm sure, but it's
we've appreciated all your time. Now, First off, what did
you make of the Northern Territory budget when it comes
to what is in it for health?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well, again, it's really good to have there all that
extra money, but again it actually reflects real funding. The
territory health budget's been underfunded for many years by both
sides of politics. And again there was a really unfortunate
situation a while back with the the achievement is the
scolding marker that then CEO for overspending by two hundred million,
(01:18):
but that reflected the fact that that the budget didn't
reflect the real need the health services and the territory
and Marco's credit he started that it's got some of
the Commonwealth about the extra funding that's flowing in. So
I mean, I think the budget incorporates an extra funding
in the current year and obviously the money that's been
promised by the FEDS for the next financial year.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
And so in terms of some of the areas where
we are seeing additional funding, I mean, what are the
big wins? Are there any big wins?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Well, again, mental health got the extra funding. I mean again,
we had the bricks and mortar for the new building,
but we didn't have any money for beds or staff.
So it's really good to see that we extra money
so we can buy some beds and actually have realistic
funding for keeping staff from the building.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
It seems unbelievable, doctor Parker, that we build things but
then we don't actually have the money set aside. For
you know, to staff those things.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
That's right anyway, So it's good to see that the
government's provided money for that. And you know, the money
for primary care is welcome, and again I think that's
been pointed out that you know, increased funding for primary
care is a very welcome situation. Primary care is the
cheapest fool of fear to keep it all the hospital.
So hopefully that will produce the pressure on RDH.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Doctor Parker, is there anywhere that we're falling short from
what you can see?
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Oh, we're falling short all the time. And I mean,
as you'll be aware, you know, the code code frequent,
code yellows, even though the current government's a bit reluctant
to talk about code yellows. But the hospital, you know,
there's the constant pressure on RDH that you and I
have talked about over a number of years. It hasn't
gone away. So I suppose the extra funding will help
the hospital help cope with that presucal degree and certainly
(03:03):
you know, the extra money in the primary care well
hopefully alleviate by stopping preventable admission or alleviate the pressure.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Do you reckon we're still having those code yellows but
not publicly saying it, or do you do you think
they're not happening at the moment.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
That's my understanding that we're not allowed to call them
as my understanding really, but they're significant pressure, but we're
not allowed to call code. That's the understanding.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
So has that been a directive from your understanding.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
From the from the understanding, My understanding is yes, but
there's been certain pressure. Is not the not the call
code yellows when we've actually had a situation which requires
a code yellow?
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Is that like a danger from your perspective, or do
you think that you're on the risk of you know,
of the of that sort of I don't know, creating
any problems when you're actually not prepared to call it
or you're telling stuff not too well.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Again, the staff at RDHI always cope. We aren't going
to pay tribute to all the staff at RDH, whether
they be doctors, nurses, ots, cleaners, you know, people in
the kitchen will always help CAPE with that. Just I
suppose it just adds further pressure when we realize that
you probably needs a more formal response.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Yeah, I mean that seems crazy to me, Like I
think if you if you under pressure and there is
a different coding system that might like my understanding is
that something that's choos right around Australia, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
That's right? Yeah anyway, Yeah, but the Minister usually has
to announce the Coke yellow.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Well, we might have to ask about that at some
point in time, Dr Parker another just something sort of
I guess you know that's been running kind of parallel.
I suppose you would say to all the other issues
that we're constantly talking about. But we know that there's
reports in the Australian newspaper that Health Scopes Board this
week have effectively pleaded for bankers to take control of
the hospitals, allowing its Brookfield back to directors to walk away.
(05:03):
I suppose some listeners are questioning if there should have
been funds allocated in the budget as a reserve to
bail out the Darwin private hospital if necessary.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yes, I mean it's a significant concern for am a
MT and we have been under we have been having
continuing discussions with the CEO about a crisis plan for
exactly that issue in case something happens. Yes, so that
that may have to happen. I mean it's an absolute
freaking disaster for help and Australia. What's happened with healthcale
(05:37):
And actually this week we had a letter to the
Prime Minister suggesting that the Foreign Investment Review Board actually
needs to put health on its radar. I mean currently
agriculture and media have increased surveillance by the Foreign Investment
Review Board because of the potential impact on things, and
health basically went under the radar. So following the absolute
(06:00):
with Brookfield and healthscape and the impact has had basically
potentially transferring a massive cost impulse impost cost from the
private of the public sector, the tax players. I think
health needs to be I have a much higher surveillance
under with a Foreign Investment Review Board that reason.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Do you I mean, do you think that we could
end up in a situation here where you know, we're
the private hospital, the Darwin private hospital, you know like that,
I don't know, could it close?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Well? The government, I think you'll have to keep it
open because of you know, the massive extra pressure on
RDH that may be involved getting another party interests such
as Ramsey, or it may involve the government having to
spend extra money to keep the whole thing going. So yes,
it's a it's a situation that we have been in
discussion about with the government now for quite a while.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Okay, so the AMA is certainly continuing those discussions and
will continue to. I mean, like you've touched on, would
be a disaster if we wound up in a situation
where the dal and private hospital you know where the
I don't know, like where the private the private funders
stepped away, and the impact that it would have on
(07:13):
the Royal Darwin Hospital, I would imagine would be enormous.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
That's correct, which is why you know, we're very concerned.
I suppose the way the way the Department and the
government respond to this crisis, which is really not you know,
it's not there making unfortunately, it was really a federal
responsibility what happened with Brookfield, you know, and the lack
of surveillance about the potential impact of what Broxville did.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Did you get any response yet from the Prime Minister
or did you just write earlier this week Dr Parker.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Having any response yet and I'm not expecting one of these.
I mean, really it's a treasurer or decision. I mean,
the Treasurer controls what happens with the Foreign Investment Review Board,
not the Health Minister. So that's why I wrote to
the PM rather than the Health Minister, because it really
is a treasure responsibility on how the Foreign Investment Review
Board opera look.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
I think it's a very fair fair point to make,
and no doubt we'll continue talking about it. But we
will talk to you again soon, Dr Parker. Again, we
may not talk to you before you before you finish
up as the president.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
It's been eleven years, Katy, and it's been interesting.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Oh you would have seen some interesting things over those
eleven years.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yes, it's certainly been interesting time and again it's been
a great privilege to serve both the medical provision and
the public of a character during that time.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Well, Doctor Robert Parker, I have always appreciated the time
that you give to us on the show. I know
that you are a very busy man and really appreciate
the time that you take to speak to me and
to our listeners. So thank you very much for all
the work that you've done.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
My pleasure, Katy.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Thank you
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