To the Editor: It is easy to contemplate redesigning the medical wheel in the face of grossly dysfunctional health services. Garling’s scholarly report1 is unlikely to be adopted to any significant extent by a government that has already sent negative signals. Menadue’s suggestions for new and reassigned responsibilities2 are counsels of perfection for systems that are not capable of making radical changes. Indeed, as illustrated by Van Der Weyden,3 there is a general perception that all informed action has been replaced by ignorance, inertia and an appalling loss of morale.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW.
- 1. Garling P. Final report of the Special Commission of Inquiry: Acute Care Services in NSW Public Hospitals. Sydney: NSW Government, 27 Nov 2008. http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/Special_Projects/ll_splprojects.nsf/pages/acsi_finalreport (accessed Mar 2009).
- 2. Menadue J. Policy is easy, implementation is hard. Med J Aust 2008; 189: 384-385. <MJA full text>
- 3. Van Der Weyden MB. In the wake of the Garling inquiry into New South Wales public hospitals: a change of cultures [editorial]? Med J Aust 2009; 190: 51-52. <MJA full text>
- 4. Gillard J, Carr K. $580 million fast-tracked into Australian universities [media release]. 12 Dec 2008. http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_081212_151616.aspx (accessed Mar 2009).
- 5. University of Adelaide Library. Public health organisations. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/med/pubhealth/puborg.html (accessed Mar 2009).
- 6. Australian Health Economics Society. Health economics in Australia. http://www.ahes.org.au/healthecaust.htm (accessed Mar 2009).
- 7. Nessen SC, Lounsbury DE, Hetz SP, editors. War surgery in Afghanistan and Iraq: a series of cases, 2003–2007. Washington, DC: Borden Institute, US Army, 2008.