Tasmania’s already stretched ambulance service must be prepared to cope when we open our borders and have COVID-19 in our community.
Shadow Health Minister Anita Dow said the government was yet to outline a plan for the state’s ambulance service when the borders reopen on December 15.
“We know that Tasmania’s ambulance service, our paramedics and volunteers across our communities are already under incredible pressure,” Ms Dow said.
“Our state has some of the worst ambulance response times in the country, ramping is getting worse at our major hospitals and just last week it was revealed that police are being forced to attend to patients when ambulances are unavailable.
“With this type of pressure without COVID cases in the state, how will our ambulance service cope with COVID cases?
“The government need to outline their plan and inform the community how additional support will be provided to our paramedics and volunteers when we open our borders.
“Tasmania’s ambulance service is critical and our community, hardworking paramedics and volunteers need to be confident that the necessary plans are in place once the borders reopen and COVID enters the state.”
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
