Tasmanian Labor is calling on the government to progress North West health infrastructure projects promised at the last state election as an important part of the region’s recovery from COVID-19.
Labor Member for Braddon Anita Dow said investment in health infrastructure would create much-needed economic stimulus in the short term and, importantly, improve health service delivery across the region in the long term.
“The Liberals promised before the last election that they would bring forward the $35 million redevelopment of the Mersey Community Hospital, including the establishment of dedicated palliative care beds,” Ms Dow said.
“Yet there are still no dedicated palliative care beds in the North West.
“The government also promised before the last election to invest $6 million to build a new ambulance station at Burnie but, to date, there appears to have been no progress on this important project.
“And the promised $2 million purpose-build antenatal clinic at the North West Regional Hospital, which was supposed to be completed by the middle of this year, appears to have stalled.
“The North West community is still waiting for the Mersey Community Hospital’s Emergency Department to reopen 24 hours a day, with no answers from the government on when this important and valuable service will be reinstated.
“Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package identifies investment in regional health infrastructure as a key priority for economic and social recovery.
“Communities of the North West and West Coast have been hit harder and for longer by the COVID-19 outbreak and extended lockdown period. At the very least, they deserve certainty on service provision and the delivery of key health infrastructure projects promised at the last election by this government.”
Anita Dow MP
Labor Member for Braddon
