World Heart Day the perfect opportunity to release the findings of the independent review of cardiac services across Tasmania.
Health Minister Guy Barnett should release the findings into the MacIsaac Review into statewide Cardiac Services today.
St Vincent’s Heart Centre Professor Andrew MacIsaac’s review into the state’s cardiac services was first outlined by the Government back in June during Budget Estimates.
It is now the end of September and Tasmanians are still waiting for the review and its recommendations to be publicly released.
With Tasmania having some of the highest rates of cardiac disease in the country, Minister Barnett needs to ensure that improved access to cardiac care and services across the state is a priority and that his Government provides more cardiac beds.
In the North-West, we understand patients may be waiting up to a week to be transferred to the Launceston General Hospital for urgent diagnostic testing or coronary intervention.
It is the same for those patients at the LGH who are waiting to be transferred to Hobart for cardiothoracic surgery, with both instances placing further pressure on our hospitals and contributing to access block.
Timely access to cardiac care is critical and Minister Barnett must outline what he is doing to ensure Tasmanians can access education, vital intervention, diagnostic services and cardiac beds when and where they need them.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing
