The Hodgman Liberal Government is getting on with the job of fixing Tasmania’s health system with record investment which is delivering better care and improved services.
One of the core components of improving our health system was rolling out our One Health System reforms – which have already delivered significant improvements over the past three years.
This includes:
* More staff: nurses up an extra 140 FTE at June 30 2016 than in 2014, doctors an extra 32.63 FTE at June 30 2016 than the previous year, allied health professionals an extra 30 FTE at June 30 2016 than the previous year and additional paramedics up 9.79 per cent to 340.13 at June 30 2016;
* More beds: we have opened 50 across the state – Southern Tasmania – 27, LGH 15 and NWRH 8. Once the $689 million RHH Redevelopment is complete there will be additional capacity for 250 beds.
* Reduced elective surgery waiting lists: Waiting lists are the shortest they have ever been. We have provided more than 3300 surgeries and procedures at the Mersey’s Dedicated Elective Surgery Centre since July 2016;
* Increased cancer patient service: NWRH Cancer Centre has seen 6500 Tasmanians attend radiation therapy.
* Ramping at the RHH is down: 1500 fewer hours ramped in 2016 compared to 2013 – a reduction of more than 60 per cent.
* Ramping down at the LGH since we re-opened Ward 4D: now at its lowest level in at least the last five financial years
Unlike Labor, we have not forgotten the North West.
The Hodgman Liberal Government has secured the future of the Mersey and a formal announcement will be made very soon.
With the support of medical professionals, we have made birthing safer on the North West coast and on the weekend I opened the Burnie hospital helipad – helping to vastly improve critical care times.
While Labor may have a new leader – nothing has changed. They have no policies on health except to hold an inquiry because they have no answers of their own.
The Hodgman Government’s $6.4 billion investment in the state’s health system is unprecedented – we are getting on with the job and delivering a better health system that Tasmanians deserve.
