Hospital bed-block highlights urgent need for Federal Government to act

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, is again calling on the Federal Government to urgently step up and take responsibility for aged care in Tasmania.

Newly released Boxwell & Co analysis has revealed the number of aged care beds in Tasmania has decreased by 54 beds in the last financial year.

Minister Archer said the lack of action from the Federal Government on aged care beds is having real impacts in our hospitals and called on the Federal Government to step up immediately and provide solutions.

“The equivalent of about three full hospital wards of Tasmanians are stranded in hospital because the Federal Government has failed to provide them a place to go,” Minister Archer said.

“Through no fault of their own, these Tasmanians are ready to leave hospital but cannot be discharged, sometimes for weeks and even months at a time – they deserve to be recovering at home, in the best interests of their health and wellbeing.”

Minister Archer said responsibility for these delays falls with the Federal Government.

“The Tasmanian Government continues to provide high-quality hospital care, but it is the Commonwealth that must ensure adequate aged care and disability services are available,” Minister Archer said.

“They need to stop sitting on their hands and pretending nothing is wrong, and come to the table with immediate solutions.”