The operation of the health system is Minister Guy Barnett’s responsibility and to suggest that it falls elsewhere is nothing more than passing the buck.
Ambulance ramping, the worst bed block in the country, a reliance on agency nurses and locums, emergency departments at capacity, coupled with staff burnout and shortages are all symptoms of a health system in crisis and a Government that’s run out of ideas.
To hear that the Royal Hobart Hospital is again operating under code yellow protocol even though a code yellow has not been called shows a complete lack of disrespect for our hardworking health professionals who are already working beyond capacity and highlights the current state of our health system.
Just yesterday, the government’s own health dashboard data showed that patients are waiting longer than ever to receive care when presenting at the state’s emergency departments.
In the North, there have been 10 coronial inquiries into the Launceston General Hospital in the past six years that show the failings of the health system.
What is it going to take for this government to act?
Minister Barnett must take responsibility for fixing the Tasmanian health system and this includes providing our nurses with a pay agreement that values their skills, time and dedicated patient care.
After 10 years of this minority Liberal Government, our health system is the worst it has ever been and it is clear the new Minister has no plan to fix our health system or invest in our health workforce.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing
