Private Hospitals Carry the Load Despite Lower Funding

31 January 2008

Australia’s balanced healthcare system relies on private hospitals to play an active part in delivering crucial hospital access for millions of Australians. The Productivity Commission’s report released earlier today, gives details of a seemingly large increase in Government spending on private hospitals over the last decade which is enabling private hospitals to relieve the burden on public hospitals.

“We welcome the Productivity Commission’s report that announces an increase of Government expenditure to Private Hospitals”, said Australian Private Hospitals Association Executive Director, Michael Roff. “However, the Commission fails to mention that in the last 6 years alone, private hospitals treated an extra million patients, an increase of 52%. Without this increased contribution, these million Australians would be stuck on public hospital waiting lists.

“The truth is, Government spending on private hospitals now accounts for a tiny 5.1% of recurrent expenditure compared to the public sector’s 40.3%. Private hospitals provide treatment for 4 out of every ten hospital patients and the sector cared for just under 3 million patients in 2005-06,” Roff added.

For further information, contact:
Lisa Ramshaw, APHA Public Affairs Manager, 0413 971 999 or Lisa.Ramshaw@apha.org.au