WHAT THE READERS SAID

NEARLY 800 people responded to the Mercury’s survey about health care in Tasmania about a range of strategies.

The strongest support was for aiming for world’s best practice in reducing waiting lists, with 59.5 per cent rating that “very important”. Among other responses:

“You need a hospital of reasonable size at Sorell — and open up land and develop that southern corridor — there should be day surgery, emergency — one emergency theatre 24 hours — several wards — medical, surgical, paeds — oncology/renal/ chronic illness management plus GPs for tourism — I know many doctors and nurses who live in that area who would love to work there and it would encourage decentralisation of Hobart services and increase employment and growth.”

“Moving away from a “one size fits all” nursing home system. Work with medical colleges and medical students to plan for and train new doctors in fields with the most need in Tasmania.”

“Seek international investment in developing worldclass, aged-care facilities; also, as a priority, introduce Dying-with-Dignity legislation.”

“Spend more money on mental health services, and drug rehab.”

“Close the Mersey General Hospital and the Burnie Hospital and build a new NW General Hospital between Devonport and Burnie.”

“Build a state of the art hospital in Hobart and encourage first class medical practitioners to live in our state.”

“Residential care for all those in need should be multi age groups. Aged care homes create ghettos and isolate the elderly from normal society.”

“At least one (preferably two or three) dedicated mental health hospitals that are focused on long term rehabilitation and holistic care.”