We extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to Dr Cyril Latt for his many years of dedicated service to the St Marys community and are sad to hear of his resignation.
The State Government has had more than 6 months to resolve this issue and provide support to Dr Latt, with multiple negotiations taking place over that time.
It was only on Tuesday this week that Health Minister Guy Barnett stated that the Government was working with Dr Latt and said, “I can provide an assurance that the St Marys community will have access to ongoing health and medical services.”
Clearly Mr Barnett was not telling the truth.
Dr Latt has been let down badly by the previous Health Minister Premier Jeremy Rockliff and the current Minister and Member for Lyons Guy Barnett.
Disgracefully they have not provided Dr Latt with the necessary support and have taken him for granted.
In contrast Labor has pledged to support the St Marys community and save the hospital if in Government, and our regional health care package would have done just that.
Labor’s policy will provide an additional rural generalist and five nurse practitioners to the St Marys Hospital, providing the necessary support to the local GP.
Without Dr Latt’s services the St Marys hospital cannot operate as a registered GP has to service the beds, meaning it will effectively close.
St Marys and the surrounding community will not have a GP, is at great risk of losing the pharmacy, and will not have a hospital.
Dr Latt has been operating without support for 10 years in the St Marys community and surrounds. This has meant Dr Latt has worked 80 hours a week, 7 days a week, for 10 years.
The Liberal Government has failed Dr Latt, they have failed the St Marys community and they have failed the North East of Tasmania.
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Jen Butler MP
Labor Member for Lyons
