Australian Private Hospitals Association CEO Brett Heffernan said the posters are designed to raise awareness of the critical funding issues facing private hospitals and the knock-on effects to patient choice, access and quality care, while reminding people about the vital role private hospitals play in Australia’s healthcare system.
“It seems to be something the Federal Government has forgotten,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Previously both sides of politics celebrated Australia’s complementary private and public hospital system, which for a long time has been the envy of the world.
“But over the last few years, the Federal Government has turned its back on that ethos, leaving the 12.2 million Aussies with private hospital insurance, patient needs, private hospitals and their employees, and the broader healthcare system, in chaos.
“Since 2022 almost 20 private hospitals have closed their doors entirely, 70 services in other private hospitals have been permanently cancelled, consumer choice has eroded, investment in quality compromised and public hospital waiting lists are longer and deeper.
“The Federal Government has thrown its hands in the air, declaring it’s not it’s job to fix the broken private health system.
“When the Federal Health Minister approves premium hikes every year, the government has direct skin in the game and a duty to ensure those premiums reach the hospitals, nurses and other staff providing treatment and care, not simply lining insurer pockets.”
Mr Hefferan said private hospitals perform 70% of all planned surgery – 1.7 million operations – each year, including hip and knee replacements, malignant breast cancer procedures, hysterectomies and eye surgeries.
They account for 1.6 million medical treatments each year, including the majority (54%) of chemotherapy, as well as 62% of mental health hospitalisations and 80% of in-hospital rehabilitation.
“Further demise of the sector will be devastating for patients, local jobs and healthcare delivery, while adding more pressure to struggling public hospitals,” he said.
