SCIENTISTS WELCOME OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC PATHOLOGY LABORATORY AT BENDIGO HEALTH

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CALL ON THE BOARD TO COMMIT TO THE IN-HOUSE SERVICE

Scientists at Bendigo Health welcome statements by the CEO that Bendigo Health will support the in-house team as it works to improve its financial efficiency. With the appointment of a new manager there is an opportunity to reduce costs of consumables substantially.

“We call on Bendigo Health to allow the in-house team time to prove that the service can be efficient dollar-wise: there is no argument about the excellent quality of the service and quick turn-around times for test results” Dr Kelly, Secretary of the Medical Scientists Association of Victoria, said today.

“The scientific effort has always been of the highest quality and efficiency, and this is not disputed by Bendigo Health. Contracting out will put that quality at risk.

As Bendigo doctors have said: The privatisation of large and medium-sized public laboratories is …rarely satisfactory … it is likely, due to financial pressure, to result in a reduction of service levels and standards.

“We are not convinced by claims by Bendigo Health that the costs of providing pathology services are twice as high as in other health services.”

“Bendigo Health has refused to give us the figures justifying this claim, and so we will be making application to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to reverse the refusal of Bendigo Health to deny our Freedom of Information request, and to order Bendigo Health to provide us with the data.” Dr Kelly continued.

The other side of the financial equation is revenue that can flow to the pathology service, and the hospital, from GP and specialists’ private patients.

Bendigo doctors can show their support for the public laboratory by referring the tests of their private patients to the Bendigo Health Pathology Service.

Contact: Dr Rosemary Kelly on 0418 543 683