4 November 2026
Bridget Archer, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Tasmanian Government will take immediate action to respond to increasing demand for endoscopies with a $40 million investment to increase capacity and deliver nearly 9,000 additional procedures across the next three years.
This investment will completely clear the waitlist for Category 1 patients that are over-boundary by 30 June 2028, while ensuring that most patients are seen within clinically recommended timeframes.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said our State-wide Endoscopy Services Plan has delivered record volumes of endoscopy activity across Tasmania in recent years.
“Our State-wide Endoscopy Services Plan has delivered record levels of endoscopy activity, with over 27,000 procedures performed across the last two financial years,” Minister Archer said.
“However, despite these record volumes, demand has continued to grow substantially following changes to the National Bowel Cancer Screening program, and we are responding with this significant investment to ensure more patients get their procedure sooner.
“There will be immediate focus to bring down the Category 1 waitlist, with an increased focus on providing weekend surgical lists and increased outsourcing through private providers.”
Minister Archer said we have been extremely clear: there are no cuts to health.
“Today’s announcement once again confirms this - we are making savings to reinvest into the frontline,” Minister Archer
“We are building an even better health system by delivering record funding.
“We know that there is more to do, and we remain absolutely committed to ensuring Tasmanians are receiving the right care, when and where they need it.
“We have increased our focus on recruiting frontline staff which has significantly reduced locum and agency staffing costs and revised the Department of Health’s executive structure so there are less corporate roles.
“The Department will continue to find savings and efficiencies, ensuring we can respond to increased demand with additional investment in the health services that need it.”