Despite the Gutwein Government’s cruel promise of an elective surgery blitz, nearly 10,000 Tasmanians remain languishing on waiting lists.
That is an unacceptable10,000 people living with constant pain and impairment, unable to fully participate in their community, family life and employment.
An astonishing further 59,000 Tasmanians are waiting to see a specialist, many of whom will eventually need necessary surgery and find themselves added to the numbers on the elective surgery waitlist.
The Tasmanian health system has been in crisis since the Liberals came to power more than eight years ago. The Liberals have now given up trying to fix their own crisis and instead seem to believe they can just keep spinning the figures to make themselves look better with promises they are simply not delivering.
Under the Gutwein Government the closest many Tasmanians in rural and regional areas get to a doctor is hearing from one of the many spin doctors the government relies on to hide the facts about the state of Tasmania’s health system.
At the North West Regional Hospital 83 per cent of Category Two patients waiting for elective surgery are not being seen within the clinically recommended timeframe.
North West Coasters are waiting above and beyond for cataract removal, gallbladder surgery, hernia repairs and tonsillectomies. The Gutwein Government cannot get the basics right.
This government’s failure to deliver on its health care promises is costing Tasmania socially and economically.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
