BRACKS HEALTH BILL THREATENS HEALTH SERVICES

The Bracks Government’s contentious Health Professionals Registration Bill threatens the standard of future health services according to Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla.

Dr Sykes said, “The Bracks Government is rushing a Bill through Parliament which gives the Minister for Health the power to set accreditation standards for doctors and other health professionals.

“I and my Nationals colleagues fear that this could result in a lowering of standards and put at risk our health services which are currently amongst the best in the world.

“The Nationals’ amendment to prevent this was rejected by the Government but the Minister for Health did give her word to not use her new powers to lower health standards. The problem is that a new Minister many not feel the same way.”

Dr Sykes continued, “Another issue of concern which I raised during debate on the Bill is the requirement for all psychologists to register as “Health Professionals” even though over half of practising psychologists work in sport, education and other fields and are not considered to be health psychologists.

“In my presentation I referred to letters written to me by local psychologists who clearly have the interests of their clients at heart and see significant practical problems and unnecessary costs arising from the implementation of this legislation.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “Neither I nor my Nationals colleagues understand why the Government is rushing this Bill through Parliament when it does not intend to implement it until 2007.

“I call on the Bracks Government to slow down, consult with people who know the issues and to implement practical legislation to protect our health services which are amongst the best in the world.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989