Sarah Courtney has made a mockery of her claim that she is listening to clinicians and experts in Tasmania’s crippled public health system.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said in recent weeks a litany of criticism has been levelled at Will Hodgman’s Government for failing to address issues in the system that are threatening the wellbeing of frontline workers and the health outcomes of patients.
“One peak body after another has come out expressing grave concerns about the state of the health system. The AMA, the ANMF, and the College of Emergency Medicine have all expressed spoken up about problems in the system and called for action.
“Not only has Sarah Courtney not done anything to reassure these bodies, and the frontline workers they represent, until today she has failed to show up publicly to explain to Tasmanians her plan to resolve the issues in health. It’s been a full month since Sarah Courtney last faced the Tasmanian media to answer questions.
“Frustrated by the stonewalling, individual health professionals have taken a stand. Junior doctors at the Royal Hobart Hospital have given the Department of Health one week from today to meet their demands.
“Senior clinicians have spoken out publicly, putting their own jobs at risk. Nurses at the Launceston General Hospital have again called for a new escalation protocol to better manage when the hospital is under pressure.
“And industrial action by paramedics could be back on the table later this week, unless their concerns about ramping are resolved.
“Doctors have said the failure to respond to their concerns is either incompetence or malice. Having come out from hiding today, Sarah Courtney needs to explain which it is.”
Sarah Lovell
Shadow Health Minister
