16 May 2025
Physicians are urging the New South Wales Government to swiftly implement key recommendations from the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding report released today [1].
President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Professor Jennifer Martin, said that the report's findings underscore the need to address spiralling levels of physician burnout and invest more in preventive healthcare.
"This report confirms what frontline physicians have been saying for quite some time now and what the RACP explained to the Commission – the system is not supporting them enough to look after their patients or themselves," Professor Martin said.
"The report rightly acknowledges that parts of our healthcare system have been underfunded for some time, by the Commonwealth as well as by NSW, particularly in workforce development and support.
“This underfunding has led to the burnout crisis we're currently facing across the workforce.
"As the findings highlight, we won't be able to tackle this issue effectively without a comprehensive workforce plan.
“A well-supported workforce is key to providing the best healthcare outcomes to patients, and it is clear that the need for comprehensive reforms has never been greater.
"We strongly support the report's recommendation to expand specialist training networks and create dedicated rural and regional training pathways.
“Without immediate investment in expanding the medical workforce and improving working conditions, we risk further straining the state's healthcare workforce," Professor Martin said.
Professor Martin also highlighted the report's findings on preventive healthcare.
"By adequately funding preventive healthcare measures and services, and meeting the need for accommodation in purpose built residential aged care, we can help reduce the strain on emergency departments.
“Many patients who currently visit emergency departments wouldn’t need to if preventive care were made more accessible.
"A shift towards collaborative, system-wide healthcare planning and greater investment in preventive services will help reduce the pressure on our healthcare system and improve outcomes for patients across the state.
“Building on our work with the Commission, the RACP stands ready to work with the NSW Government and health authorities to implement these vital recommendations as a matter of priority,” Professor Martin said.
[1] Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding report