- Surgery backlog must be addressed, stalled projects reactivated
- Labor calls for funds injection, long-term plan
The Liberal Government must provide funding to address serious flaws in Tasmania’s health system as part of the state’s COVID-19 recovery.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said the pandemic has confirmed the need for a major investment in the health system and a long-term plan to look after Tasmanians’ health.
“Tasmania’s health woes were well known even before the pandemic, with elective surgery waiting lists already at record high numbers, along with ambulance ramping and bed block,” Ms Lovell said.
“More than 11,000 people were waiting for surgery before COVID-19 hit and, while we won’t have current numbers until later in the year, we know the pandemic will have had an impact, given the national decision in March to cancel most elective surgeries.
“Even though some have resumed, this disruption will no doubt have caused an even greater backlog of surgeries, putting more pressure on an already-ailing system.
“As we emerge from the health emergency, we need sufficient investment and a workforce plan to ensure adequate resourcing, along with investment in preventative health and community-based health care to reduce the need for surgery in the first place.
As Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package points out, the pandemic demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of underinvestment in the health system and the need to upgrade health facilities and services across the state, particularly in regional areas.
“We are calling on the State Government to work to secure Federal funds to get on with the Royal Hobart Hospital Stage 2 redevelopment.
“We must also reactivate stalled projects like the Launceston Private Hospital colocation and Launceston Health Precinct, restore rehabilitation beds at the North West Regional Hospital, provide more public mother and baby unit beds, and restore the Mersey Community Hospital Emergency Department to a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service.
“And the government should adopt Labor’s policy to have mental health workers in all of Tasmania’s public primary and high schools.
“Tasmanians have waited too long for improvements to the health system. It is time for real action to take care of all Tasmanians.”
Rebecca White
Labor Leader
