News Flash

Health Chief Executive Dr Tony Sherbon today advised the Budget and Finance Committee of Parliament that the Sustainable Budget Commission is seeking $450 million in savings from the Department of Health.

This equates to 4,000 jobs. The Chief Executive stated that such big cuts could not be delivered without affecting clinical services both within and outside of hospital.

PSA members have been reporting that they are struggling with high work loads and a lack of resources. There are long queues and long waiting times for accessing many critical health services, even without these cuts.

Further cuts in the health budget will have a significant impact on services to South Australian families.

If these cuts go ahead it is likely that many South Australians will suffer needlessly because the services so desperately needed are no longer within reach.

Professor John Spoehr of the University of Adelaide, in a report commissioned by the Association, makes it clear that the State's AAA rating is not at risk, and that South Australia's financial position is $900 million better off than when the Treasurer set up the Sustainable Budget Commission.

There is no economic necessity for cuts.

The PSA is working with members and the community to protect public sector jobs and save the services that save lives, and will continue to oppose the cuts required by the Government and it's Sustainable Budget Commission.

9 August 2010