Unpublished, to Letters editor, The Australian
Hats off to the Royal Childrens Hospital (‘Two lives, 20 doctors and an uplifting story of hope‘, 19/11). A massive exercise completed successfully. But, is there that much excess capacity in our health system?
What about if both children had sustained severe and irreversible brain damage? Would they remain in high-dependency beds at RCH for years? And, if the expected epidemic of killer influenza brings in scores of Victorian children needing intensive care, who will wield the rationing razor?
The nation’s planning for public health and hospitals is in a state of limbo. We are led to believe that, if resources are not actually scarce, they could be better deployed. We cannot allow the pleading of special cases to play any part in diversion of resources, even if they are promoted by attractive advocates.
It would be helpful if the public had access to RCH’s management plans for their exercise, not least the public relations guidance.
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