Outpatient services will be transformed under a new four-year strategy released by the Tasmanian Liberal Government that will result in shorter waiting times for Tasmanians seeking public outpatient services.
Our Government’s vision is for Tasmanians to be able to access the care and services they need, sooner, and as close to home as possible.
That’s why we are releasing our Transforming Outpatient Services Strategy, which will shorten wait times, improve communication, and modernise processes.
With over 570,000 appointments delivered every year in Tasmania, we know that to make real improvements in our waiting lists, we must look at new and innovative ways of delivering healthcare to those who need it.
To achieve this, we will better utilise digital technology to offer more flexible models of care outside traditional settings and transform the way patients, clinicians and providers engage with each other.
As part of this strategy, we will strengthen the way we deliver outpatient services by:
Importantly, we will also take immediate action to address long wait times, by implementing nurse-led clinics, so that those who have been waiting the longest, and are seeking priority specialities (e.g. neurology, cardiology) can access outpatient services as soon as possible.
An extensive statewide audit program is also underway to ensure waiting lists are up-to-date and reflective of the true need for outpatient services.
Tasmania’s waiting lists are headed in the right direction, but we know there is a way to go. By implementing this strategy, Tasmanians will be able to access outpatient services sooner.
The release of the Transforming Outpatient Services Strategy follows the launch of the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s Digital Health Strategy released earlier this year and a significant investment of $150 million over the next four years to upgrade our digital health infrastructure.
Our Strategy is ambitious but, together with our investment in digital health, we will strengthen Tasmania’s health system and ensure more Tasmanians get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
The Outpatient Transformation Strategy will be available at: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/about/what-we-do/strategic-programs-and-initiatives/outpatient-transformation-program-2022-2023