The Hodgman Liberal Government’s incredibly important reforms to fix our broken health system have been supported by all expert medical and clinical advice.
Under these reforms the Mersey Hospital will have a stronger, more secure role which will benefit all Tasmanians.
We have also established our credentials in investing in health by providing an additional $100 million for frontline health and an extra $24 million for patient transport in this year’s budget.
I’ve made very clear that when it comes to health reform, no changes will be made until hospitals are fully equipped to meet any additional demand. If that means additional beds or staff at the North West Regional Hospital or Launceston General Hospital to ensure emergency patients are delivered to the hospital that is best equipped to support them, then that’s what will happen.
The Tasmanian Health Service is currently working on scheduling the implementation of the reforms. This is an important piece of work because the implementation of health reform must be done safely. It will not be rushed for political purposes.
Notwithstanding this, already we have seen significant progress, with the announcement today of an additional 300 elective procedures at the Mersey a first step in establishing the dedicated elective surgery centre for all Tasmanians.
The Labor Party, as with every issue, is all over the place on health reform. Bryan Green just last night said he would not reverse the changes at the Mersey. Yet it appears Labor still want to have a bob each way and throw rocks from the sidelines. Tasmanians will take a very dim view of politicians who flip-flop around on a matter as critical as health.
Equally, Steve Martin should stop spreading falsehoods about the services to be delivered at the Mersey. His repeated claims that the Emergency Department will be staffed by GPs are false and uninformed.
The ED at the Mersey will continue to operate 24/7, staffed by fully-qualified doctors with specialist training in emergency medicine.
Mr Martin’s comments today about wanting the Mersey to deliver birthing and emergency services, on the basis that people can be transferred to another hospital later if there are complications, is very dangerous and an approach which could cost young lives. The clinical advice cannot be clearer – it is dangerous for any hospital to deliver services where it is not properly equipped to deal with life-threatening complications which can occur.
I also find it very strange that Mr Martin and Senator Lambie want to make uninformed claims about a ‘downgrade’ of the Mersey, when both have a stated position of wanting to close the Mersey to build a new hospital at Ulverstone.