It’s common to hear there’s ‘no money’ in healthcare. But sometimes it’s management that’s lacking | Ranjana Srivastava

A report into Melbourne’s Cohealth showed systemic problems were left unaddressed for a decade, while ideas from clinicians went ignored

One cancer patient is advised to increase fluids, another sent an electronic script, and a third consoled. All have been saved from an emergency presentation by the timely intervention of a nurse – in just the first hour of the day.

So, imagine my dismay when she warns me that her clinic will close for several weeks when she takes overdue leave. Thinking selfishly of my neediest patients, I ask why there’s no cover.

Ranjana Srivastava is an Australian oncologist, award-winning author and Fulbright scholar. Her latest book is Every Word Matters: Writing to Engage the Public