A Labor Government would urgently get to work on repairing our broken health system, helping to rebuild healthcare in rural and regional Tasmania.
As a mum and someone who grew up on a farm, I understand that Tasmanians want to be able to receive care close to home, whether it be for a sick child in the middle of the night or rehabilitation from illness or injury.
We are pleased to be joined today by rural generalist Dr Aaron Hawkins, who has welcomed news that a Labor Government would expand services at 18 regional and rural hospitals around the state, including the Deloraine District Hospital.
As part of this expansion, the Deloraine community would be able to access 24/7 emergency care at the hospital, catering to the region’s growing population.
Our dedicated health workers are the backbone of the health system and that is why Labor would invest in and employ a further 18 rural generalist statewide as part of this rollout, who would work as part of a multidisciplinary team of nurse practitioners, nurses, allied health providers and local GPs.
Under Labor’s Right Priorities Plan, a dedicated $60 million infrastructure fund would be established in consultation with local communities to enable hospitals to upgrade consultation rooms, purchase extra beds or equipment like x-ray, ultrasound and ECG machines to cater to the needs of their local communities.
Increased services and additional workers will take pressure off the state’s four main hospitals and their emergency departments, reducing bed block and ambulance ramping while leading to better patient outcomes.
If the Liberal Government hasn’t addressed the health crisis in 10 years, they never will.
Labor has a plan to get the ball rolling with the right priorities for healthcare in the state.
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health
