The Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering unprecedented investment in health, with the 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget including a record $10.7 billion over four years.
Furthermore, we welcome Labor’s support for the Liberal Government’s Budget given priorities raised by the new Shadow Health minister Anita Dow are ones we are already taking action on.
More funding – we are funding $900 million more than last year.
A real plan – we have outlined our comprehensive plan to deliver better healthcare for Tasmanians, in the right place, at the right time.
Listening to health professionals – our four-year elective surgery plan has been developed by clinicians, and one of the next steps outlined in Our HealthCare Future is to co-design a long-term plan that includes statewide clinical services planning, because that’s what clinicians have been asking for.
Better alternatives to hospital care and more community care – the Budget includes $27.5 million over four years to commence a permanent statewide Community Rapid Response Service and to pilot other hospital in the home services.
Stronger focus on preventative care – we are investing $20 million to prioritise prevention and early intervention, and empower Tasmanians to improve their own health.
Elective surgery – our elective surgery plan will enable us to deliver nearly 30,000 additional surgeries and endoscopies, reducing the waitlist to a sustainable level and ensuring Tasmanians get their surgery within clinically recommended times.
Oral health – the Budget includes $5 million for an additional 20,000 dental procedures.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Tasmania has the second highest rate of public hospital beds per population in the country. And since April 2018, the number of available beds in Tasmania’s public hospitals has increased to 1,583 as at the end of June 2021, an increase of 223 beds or 16.4 per cent.
We can only assume, given we are delivering on what Ms Dow highlighted yesterday, that Labor is endorsing our Budget 100 per cent.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is getting on with the job of delivering our plan to secure Tasmania’s future and improve the health of Tasmanians.