Pressure on health fix

Labor calls for cash and action on summit

THE State Government must commit to increasing health funding and to enacting all of the recommendations of a June health summit, Labor says.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson and the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine have brought forward talks on the current bed block crisis to June.

The Royal Hobart Hospital has been struggling with an overburdened emergency department because there are insufficient beds for patients to be moved to elsewhere in the hospital.

Opposition health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said Labor wanted health funding increased in next month’s budget.

“We need to see first and foremost the Government replace the $100 million funding black hole that they have put into health every year on year,” she said.

“We need to see a commitment from this Government that any recommendations that come out of the summit that will make a real difference to Tasmanians will be funded, that they will implement those recommendations.

“This can’t be just another talkfest. We’ve seen that time and time again from this Government. Tasmanians need to see action.”

Ms Lovell said Labor had been calling for the Government to hold health round tables to get input from experts.

“That call has been ignored,” Ms Lovell said.

“We have been trying on a number of occasions to work with the Government on issues in health and at every turn they have ignored that offer.”

Mr Ferguson said Tasmania spent more than 30 per cent of the state budget on health — and had topped this year’s spending with an extra $105 million.

“We have demonstrated that we respond and act when demand in the health system continues to grow,” he said.

“In response to increased demand, our Government has continued to grow health services and every year our Government has invested even more than originally budgeted, employing more health staff, providing more health care.

“This includes the additional $105 million invested into health this financial year. These investments in essential services are only made possible through our strong budget management.” Mr Ferguson said health systems across the nation had seen significant rises in demand for health services and the Government had responded by opening more beds.

“Getting on with the task means ignoring the toxic armchair critics who add no value and simply want to continue the age-old blame game that Tasmanians are so sick and tired of hearing.

“Given Labor’s media release today they have shown yet again that they don’t have any value to add and instead only show an interest in toxic politics which is helping zero Tasmanians.”