Mersey helipad questions asked

TASMANIA’S Health Minister has hit back after being asked to reconsider the decision to spend $1.5 million constructing a new helipad at the Mersey Community Hospital.

Devonport Mayor Steve Martin, who is also the chair of the Mersey Hospital Support Group, has written to Michael Ferguson saying it would be faster for patients to be transferred to Launceston via ambulance and the money spent employing more nurses for the facility.

Ald Martin also warned the hospital’s emergency department was not equipped to stabilise critical patients during the 90 minutes or so it took for the chopper to arrive, collect a patient and get to the Launces- ton General Hospital.

“Will there be a service upgrade at the emergency department to be able to stabilise a patient without it being detrimental to the current case load and will the helicopter have the same capability, medical equipment and treatments available in comparison to an emergency ambulance,” the letter asked.

Ald Martin also asked the Government to consider dividing the $730 million it received from Canberra when the ownership of the Mersey returned to the state to fund a new hospital on a greenfields site.

The other half would see the Mersey continue to operate as is for five years, rather than the 10 years specified under the ownership deal.

Mr Ferguson said he found it extraordinary that Mr Martin was fighting the installation of critical infrastructure.

“This enhancement (the new helipad) should be supported,” he said.

“Last week Mr Martin again committed to his plan to close both the Mersey and Burnie hospitals in favour of a single hospital at Ulverstone.

“This is a ridiculous and wasteful suggestion.”