The Rockliff Liberal Government welcomes a Parliamentary Inquiry into the timely transfer of patients from ambulances to emergency wards.
Minister Guy Barnett said that the Tasmanian Health Service is aware of the challenges presented across the nation when it comes to ambulance transfer of care and is working with clinicians, paramedics and health care professionals across the board to address the issue.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government is delivering significant support to assist,” Minister Barnett said.
“We have employed 220 additional paramedics and are constantly increasing bed numbers through a record health budget that is investing more than $8 million dollars a day into the system.
“The key to improving transfer of care timeframes lies in ensuring the right treatment, at the right time, in the right place.
“We know our Emergency Departments are under strain, particularly when 4 out of 10 cases presenting are not urgent.
“The Federal government must do more to ensure Tasmanians have increased access to GPs.
“We also must ensure that patients who are clinically ready are able to be discharged in a timely fashion.
“So-called ‘bed block’ is being made more acute by NDIS and aged-care patients who cannot be discharged due to a lack of placement and support outside the hospital system.”
Minister Barnett said that the Tasmanian Government looks forward to the Inquiry garnering an understanding of how our health care professionals are dealing with this multi-faceted challenge and identifying additional reforms for continuous improvement.
