Will the headlines ever end?

HOSPITALS

HEADLINES — ambulance calls another ambulance for assistance because not enough doctors at the RHH. Continued reports of ambulances queuing on the ramp because the Emergency Department at the Royal Hobart Hospital does not have enough beds or staff to cope. Frequent reports of medical professionals telling the State Government there are not enough staff to cope with business at the Royal. Long waiting lists for such essential surgery for hernia repair.

What is this, a third world hospital in a third world country? No, it is a State Government that represents a political party with the Thatcherite Victorian-English view of society: a few wealthy people and a mass of poor whose own fault it is to be poor; a party cutting $50 million from spending on Tasmania’s public hospitals; that believes private health insurance and the costly American model is the only way to deliver healthcare. Unfortunately, the ALP is no better; it was the ALP Lennon state government that sold off the other half of the Royal Hobart Hospital. Hospital emergency, he was then cared for promptly with respect and dignity. There was an incident about 18 months earlier when he had a fall outside his home. Hobart Private said they would not assess him because due to his age, he may need to be admitted, and they didn’t have a bed (or was this staff?).

This is the treatment of a longstanding member of private health fund, and someone who has contributed significantly to family and community. This treatment of our elderly and those with more complex medical issues seems to be becoming the norm. Hopefully, the new contract between the Government and Healthscope will address some of these issues.

Restored my faith

I VISITED my general practice in the Huon Valley, 60km out of Hobart, at 10am on a Monday with a severe pain in my tummy. I was seen immediately by my GP who did some tests and sent me home to await the results. About 1.30pm she informed me I had to go to Calvary or the Royal. At Calvary A&E they did some further tests and told me I had acute inflammation of my gallbladder. They arranged admission to the Royal Hobart Hospital by 4.30pm and I was seen by a surgeon later that afternoon.

So I was in bed in a major surgical hospital, having been seen by a surgeon within seven hours from a country town 60km away with a correct diagnosis. Surgery for my diseased, stone-filled gallbladder was a great success. Convalescent/rehabilitation care in Franklin Eldercare with supervision by my GP and going home with assistance from the Regional Aged Care Assessment Team all went smoothly. In all places my nursing care and medical care was world standard. With support from my neighbours and locals, what could have been a disaster was a warming experience and has restored my faith in health services. Well done everyone and thank you.

Great but too busy

I HAD an eight-day stay at the Royal Hobart Hospital where the doctors, nurses and orderlies treated me with dedicated and compassionate care but I sincerely believe they need more staff and resources because they were run off their feet. I would also like to sincerely apologise for my bad attitude and impatience on previous admissions. Again thank you to the dedicated staff for their wonderful care.

Buy buildings for RHH

THE Tasmanian Government has earmarked millions of dollars for ambulance services. Considering the problems with ramping and bed shortages, why have they not considered using $30 million of that to buy the building on the corner of Collins and Argyle which is close enough to have an underground or overhead link with the Emergency Department and to provide room for extra beds needed to avoid ramping and putting patients on trolleys in hallways. While there are massive numbers of buildings being purchased for the university move, there must be a case for buying buildings close to the hospital. Such opportunities don’t come that frequently.

Magpie hurdle

MICK Leppard’s comments demonstrate his failure in presenting a valid case for a Tassie AFL team to play in Launceston (“Singing My Song,” Letters, August 30). Mick, as we all know, absolutely loves Hawthorn playing games at UTAS Stadium in Launceston, yet he’s let us all know he barracks for the Colliewobbles. Sorry Mick, case closed, Court adjourned.

Just joshing

OBVIOUSLY winter is drawing to an end. A telltale sign is the cross-correspondence between Mick Leppard and his southern fans. The latest bout has led me to believe that Mick is actually right about a couple of things. One, there is nothing wrong with a bit of joshing around; leg-pulling, call it what you will. Second, there sure isn’t any parochialism up there in the North.

Another one down

THE city bursts with signs of spring, as the problem of people sleeping rough slips quietly from its collective consciousness for another nine months.

Retiree tax by another name

I CAN well understand the Federal Treasurer urging business to reinvest profits back into their business and not pay dividends back to shareholders, or share buybacks (“Pollies told to get back to knitting,” Mercury, August 27), however is this not another version of a retiree tax? Retirees being starved off from funding?