The Hodgman Liberal Government is changing the way our health system operates so we can get better results for all Tasmanians.
The health White Paper marks a significant turning point for health in Tasmania and I am pleased it has received widespread community, health, union and political support.
In particular, the support from Labor's health spokesperson Rebecca White and Green's Leader Cassy O'Connor is welcome.
The support from Ms White for our Plan to make the Mersey a dedicated elective surgery hub is most welcome given that, until recently, Labor Leader Bryan Green has opposed this change.
I also welcome the broad support from the medical community, including the AMA, ANMF, and HACSU.
As we move to implement these important changes this continued broad support will greatly assist in the successful implementation of the changes.
Today the Premier Will Hodgman and I have had a very positive and constructive visit to the Mersey to speak with staff about the White Paper, and we have also had the opportunity to tour the new cancer centre at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie.
The Cancer Centre and Linear accelerator have been made possible by Federal Government funding as well as a generous private donation for the purchase of the linear accelerator. Importantly, it has been due to the hard work of Brett Whitely MP, the Federal Member for Braddon, who as the state opposition Shadow Minister for Health got the North West Cancer Centre on the political agenda and showed that it was not only needed but possible.
The delivery by the Hodgman Liberal Government of $14 million operational funding for the centre enables us to eliminate thousands of patient trips for North West patients who will for the first time be able to receive radiation oncology and other services in Burnie.
In response to concerns from a number of stakeholders about funding for the changes, I point out that not only is there an additional $100 million in the health budget, but an additional $24 million has been set aside for patient transport.
The changes to the way the health system operates are also about using our existing resources better through reducing the waste and duplication entrenched in the old regionalised system. This is a huge investment in frontline health which, along with our reforms, will help get more patients into treatment and alleviate pressure on our staff.
The changes to services outlined in the White Paper will not be rushed. There are a number of changes which can begin to be implemented immediately, such as increased elective surgery at the Mersey, implementation of the Northern Integrated Cancer Service and the Northern Integrated Surgical Service, increased outreach services from the LGH, improved coordination of statewide trauma services, and improvements in the use of telehealth.
It's important to be clear that none of the changes outlined in the White Paper will be made until the appropriate staffing, support and resources are in place. This means that the Tasmanian Health Service will progressively roll out changes in a way which delivers outcomes and minimises disruption to patients and staff.
The order of priorities will be determined from a patient care and patient safety perspective. The THS will develop a full implementation plan by October this year.
I also intend to release updates on the Government’s comprehensive mental health and preventative health plans very soon.