Health and Human Services
To meet the challenges faced by our health system today, tomorrow and for years to come, we need a comprehensive and strategic health plan for our State.
Tasmania’s Health Plan was launched by the Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, in May 2007. It will transform the delivery of health care across Tasmania and guide its development for up to 15 years.
The Plan will help us to create a safe, sustainable and efficient health system that provides all Tasmanian people with the care, they need when they need it. It will build closer relationships between our hospitals and our community health services.
It has two components - the Primary Health Services Plan (which looks at how we can make Tasmanians healthier) and the Clinical Services Plan (covering the major acute hospitals and ambulance service). Implementation is underway.
Planning for Tasmania’s Future Health also involves building a new Royal Hobart Hospital – the State’s major teaching hospital. After an extensive public consultation process, a potential new site has been identified. The detailed work needed to examine the feasibility of the site is now underway.
The Government is applying the same sorts of Future Health principles to the Human Services side of the portfolio.
The focus is on early intervention and better assistance in key areas like family support programs, and reforms in disability services.
The Government wants to make sure that services for people with particular needs – be it disabilities, mental health, or housing – have a safe, efficient and sustainable service system too.
