Women’s health plan to get $7.2m injection

THE State Government will today announce a new multimillion-dollar initiative to improve access to women’s health services in Tasmania.

The $7.2 million initiative will allow an estimated 900 additional procedures to be performed and will specifically target 900 women who have waited longest on the elective surgery waiting list.

It will also aim to provide better support for women not requiring surgery.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson and Speaker Sue Hickey have worked together since the election in March to put the new program in place.

Mr Ferguson said the Tasmanian Government was working hard to reduce the amount of time all patients were waiting for elective surgery.

“The State Government investment is $4 million of additional funding over two years, which will attract additional Commonwealth activity funding of an estimated $1.6 million per year to form a total package of $7.2 million,” Mr Ferguson said.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ health system dashboard, there were 7078 patients on the elective surgery waiting list in Tasmania at March this year.

The median wait time for elective surgery was 43 days, and 71 per cent of patients were admitted within the clinically recommended time.

Ms Hickey said the initiative would provide a boost to important women’s health services.

“This is a great outcome that will ensure women in Tasmania get the support they need for a better quality of life,” Ms Hickey said.

Mr Ferguson has been under pressure from unions and the Labor Party over his handling of the health portfolio.

Labor leader Rebecca White said last week that Mr Ferguson had made a number of poor decisions and the health system was struggling as a consequence.

Earlier this month, Mr Ferguson said he was open to doing more to resolve problems at the Launceston General Hospital after nurses and Health and Community Services Union members escalated industrial action.