The State Government continues to show a complete disregard for concerned Tasmanians over how the health system will cope once our borders reopen next month.
Shadow Health Minister Anita Dow said the government has serious questions to answer to ease Tasmanians’ concerns.
“Last week, the head of the AMA in Tasmania Dr Helen McArdle released a report on Tasmania’s health system, saying nearly all of it is overstretched and on the brink of breaking down,” Ms Dow said.
“And yet, today, the Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff stood up in Parliament and accused Labor of playing politics by asking legitimate questions on behalf of the Tasmanian people about how the health system will cope with the border reopening.
“These are questions members of the Tasmanian community have asked us and they deserve answers, not dismissal.
“Dr McArdle said health staff are overloaded and exhausted, bed block at our major hospitals is extreme and patients are not receiving care in a timely manner.
“When the situation is that dire without any COVID in the state, it is clear that the pressure will only intensify once the virus returns to Tasmania.
“The government can claim all it wants that it has a plan for more beds and staff, but there is still no detail on how they will attract those staff, and Tasmanians who have experienced the worst of the health system over eight years of Liberal government know it is not set up to deal with an emergency.
“Labor has always supported vaccinations and we want Tasmania to reopen safely.
“But, in order to do that, we need to know precisely how the system will be managed. And Tasmanians deserve that reassurance, not dismissal.”
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
