The State Government needs to clearly outline exactly how it plans to manage thousands of sick Tasmanians once our borders reopen in December.
Shadow Health Minister Anita Dow said the government has failed to detail how its ‘COVID at home’ care model will work.
“With our hospitals already at breaking point, the government appears to be relying on its ‘COVID at home’ model to cope with the surge of cases expected when Tasmania’s borders reopen on 15 December,” Ms Dow said.
“We’ve been told this will involve capacity to manage 2,500 sick Tasmanians at any one time.
“We also know that ‘COVID at home’ will allow patients to have access to pulse and oxygen monitoring.
“But we don’t know anything else about how the service will actually work.
“Will there be a dedicated advice line for ‘COVID at home’ patients to call to help them manage their illness?
“If so, will this line be staffed by qualified medical professionals?
“How will patients be transferred to hospital if their condition worsens?
“Will it be by our already overstretched ambulance service?
“These are important questions and Tasmanians deserve answers.
“Labor will continue to seek these answers – Tasmanians have worked extremely hard to protect our state and they want to know precisely what will be done to keep them safe once the virus returns.”
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
