Health Minister Daniel Andrews has insulted thousands of Victorians who have waited years for surgery by dismissing almost 25,000 patients in the past year who were denied surgery within the appropriate time as a ‘minority’, Shadow Minister for Health Helen Shardey said today.

The statement was made as the Brumby Government announced underwhelming measures to reduce elective surgery wait-lists two days after Victoria was dudded on its proportion of federal health funding.

“This is just a band-aid solution to the problem, and does not provide a single additional bed. This money is not about planning for a long-term sustainable and viable public health system for future generations – it is money to cover up the State Labor Government’s history of failing Victorian patients”, Mrs Shardey said.

The Brumby Government numbers also don’t add up when compared to the federal announcement. While the Federal Government claims that its $34.2 million will treat 5,098 patients, equating to $6,708 per patient, the Brumby Government’s $15 million for elective surgery announced today will treat another 4,302 patients at $3,487 per patient.

The Brumby Government needs to clarify whether State Government funding is for a different category of patients than the Federal Government money, and how and by whom they will be treated.

“Why did it take John Brumby this long to act and why has he not done more? He has a projected budget surplus of $842 million at his disposal and all Victorians have been aware of the crisis in public hospitals for years.

“While John Brumby claims that this will “halve the number of long-wait patients in Victoria”, the question must be asked as to how many patients are waiting years for an out-patient appointment before they get on the elective surgery waiting list. These figures are not reported.

“Unfortunately it is clear the Labor party would not want to spoil a media stunt by telling Victorians the true state of the public health system,” Mrs Shardey said.