The Hodgman Minority Government is failing young Tasmanians through cuts and under-resourcing of mental health services.
Shadow Health Minister, Sarah Lovell, said the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service had been told to find savings across the state at a time when they are already under extreme pressure.
“We have heard repeated assurances from Will Hodgman that the frontline will be protected from the Government’s savage $450 million razor gang.
“But the facts don’t match the Premier’s words. We know that surgeries have been cut by 15 per cent and shifts for casual and part time nurses have been cut.
“Now we hear that the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service has been told to make statewide cuts which would result in current vacant jobs not be filled.
“We also have today’s Coroner’s report calling for a review of the staffing requirements at the psychiatry service at the Royal Hobart Hospital following the tragic death of a young man in 2015.
“Labor and medical specialist have been highlighting concerns about chronic under-resourcing for this service for some time and the Government must act on the Coroner’s recommendations before another life is lost.”
Will Hodgman has also failed to answer questions around a taxpayer-funded overseas mental health staff recruitment drive.
“The nine day tour through five cities in Britain reportedly cost taxpayers $25,000 and yet no one has started work,” Ms Lovell said.
“During Budget Estimates, the failed former Health Minister, Michael Ferguson, said job offers had been made to 11 applicants, but reports on the ground are that none of these applicants have accepted.
“Will Hodgman needs to come clean and tell Tasmanians how many of these applicants have actually signed contracts or whether the trip was a complete waste of time and money.”
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Health Minister
