Sarah Courtney,Minister for Health
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is focused on delivering our plan to build a better health system for all Tasmanians.
We acknowledge there is increased demand and that is why we are devoting an unprecedented 32 per cent of the state budget to deliver better health services.
Our record on recruitment of health staff is clear.
There are now 1,150 more full time equivalent staff in our health system than in March 2014, including:
- More than 600 new nurses;
- 170 more doctors;
- 114 allied health professionals; and
- 100 more ambulance and dispatch officers.
These new staff are delivering more services and care to support Tasmanians who need it and we thank them for the work they are doing.
We are finishing the RHH redevelopment, more than a decade after Labor first talked about a new RHH, and we remain on track to commence commissioning in February.
To support this new capacity, I was delighted to outline our plan to open 44 new, permanently funded beds.
On top of these new beds in our public hospital, which is estimated to deliver care for up to 2,500 patients each year, I am also pleased that we are in the final stages of a significant new agreement for the Hobart Private Hospital.
This facility is crucial in taking pressure off our busy public hospital, particularly the Emergency Department.
Other key infrastructure investments we have delivered across the State, include the new $2 million helipad at the Mersey Community Hospital and the purchase of more than $28 million of new cancer treatment equipment.
Later this week we will have many of our new rural and regional paramedics starting, while the communities of St Helens, Bicheno, Dodges Ferry and Deloraine will benefit from our investments into better essential services.
In contrast, Labor sacked 250 nurses, cut the Hospital in the Home service in Launceston, did not lay a single brick at the RHH and abandoned the Mersey Hospital.
Only the Hodgman majority Liberal Government is delivering a plan to keep the economy strong, help create more jobs and invest record amounts in essential services, like health care.
