Chambers urges frontline health staffing focus

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers held a press conference on Thursday calling for greater focus on recruiting frontline healthcare staff rather than management or administrators, citing the Mid-Year Expenditure Report which warned that health sector expenditure and staffing growth has not matched activity levels. He emphasized the need for efficiencies in public sector staffing, noting a 150% increase in agency staff over six years and unsustainable growth in both doctors and nurses. The report also highlighted that targeted social protection interventions can better benefit lower-income households. The Budget is due on October 6.