They do their best but we can do better

I HAVE just had the opportunity to see the Tasmanian Public Health System from the inside, being admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital for an emergency gallbladder removal. I found the staff, in every role, to be friendly, cooperative, caring and (mostly!) cheerful, and I’d like to thank those who looked after me in DEM, ward 2A and the “overflow” room 422 in Hobart Private.

However, there were obvious signs of a system under stress. It took 13 hours from arrival to get me a bed on the ward. After I had fasted for half a day my sur- gery had to be postponed due to more urgent cases, thus tying up a precious bed for at least one extra night — no slack in the system for “emergency emergencies!” Communication was not good, as I did not know what was going on half the time and had to keep asking those caring for my dog for another night at short notice.

The poor catering staff did their best, but meals were delivered when I was fasting and not delivered when I wasn’t. I know, there are far worse horror stories than mine, but I fear my experience may be just routine these days. It was an eyeopener. Please, politicians of all colours, give these willing and caring hospital workers the resources and support they need. This is too important to play politics with, to deny there’s a problem or to say at least we’re doing better than the last bunch did. I am very grateful we have one of the best public health systems in the world which excludes noone because they are poor. But we can do better.