As a result of a number of recent incidents in our health system this week, I have this afternoon had urgent discussions with both the Department and THS leadership.
While we are currently experiencing a period of high and unscheduled demand, the system’s overall response has simply not been good enough to meet community expectations. Tasmanians expect more, so does the Government and so do I.
I have asked for a written report within 24 hours on the current situation and what can be done to alleviate it – this will be taken to Cabinet.
We have a long term plan to fix the broken health system including making the Mersey Hospital a dedicated elective surgery centre, which will alleviate pressure on emergency departments and free up beds. However, it is clear that more needs to be done in the short term.
While some will undoubtedly say that the solution is more money, at this point in time what we need is to see a higher level of compliance with existing rules and the leadership to drive it. I am willing to consider actions which will disrupt old ways of running hospital emergency departments.
