Mr Butler, who was sworn into the ministry this morning, comes to the role at a critical time, with emergency departments (EDs) overcrowded, the healthcare workforce crisis at dangerous levels and all parts of the health system under significant, unprecedented, and well-documented pressure.
ACEM President Dr Clare Skinner congratulates Mr Butler on his appointment and believes that his diverse experience in health, and in issues linked to health, will inform the comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of the health system required to lead genuine systemic reform.
Mr Butler has been the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, and assisted the prime minister on mental health reform. He also brings ministerial experience in housing, climate change and the environment.
Dr Skinner said, “I warmly welcome Mr Butler to the role of minister for health and aged care. Health is complex with a range of socio-economic determinants, including environmental, and I believe that Mr Butler has the range of experience, and the innate understanding required, to tackle the massive job of spearheading fixes for the Australian health system.”
“But he won’t do it alone. Australia’s emergency doctors are here to support, educate and collaborate with Mr Butler on solutions for the healthcare emergency.”
ACEM publicly supported Labor’s health policies during the 2022 federal election campaign, including investments into Medicare, aged care and the NDIS, and solutions for the healthcare workforce crisis. The College believes that when delivered, these policies will see improvements to EDs, to patient care, to the wellbeing of staff who work within them, and to the wider health system.
Last week, the College welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the role of Prime Minister and encouraged the Labor government to work with frontline clinicians on any solutions for the issues in the system, and to ensure fixes for dangerously stretched EDs are swiftly delivered.
Dr Skinner said, “Wide-spread health reform is a massive but necessary undertaking – and we know Mr Butler is up to the job. We look forward to collaborating with the new health minister, the prime minister and all key stakeholders across the entire health system to resolve the healthcare emergency, once and for all.”
“Together, we can ensure all Australians receive affordable and accessible care, when and where they need it.”
The College also extends its congratulations to the new Minister for Aged Care, the Hon. Anika Wells, the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Ged Kearney, the new Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and RR Health, the Hon. Emma McBride.
ACEM will be reaching out privately to Mr Butler, and other members of the ministry with a health portfolio, to brief them on the current state of Australia’s emergency departments.
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
Media Contact:
Melissa Howard [email protected] 0427 621 857