New data has confirmed that Tasmania is leading the charge when it comes to public hospital investment, recruitment and beds.
The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report has revealed the impact of the Tasmanian Government’s record investment into health – currently around $8.3 million each day.
The Report shows that Tasmania has more hospital beds per population than any other State, and that Tasmania has increased hospital recurrent expenditure at almost three times the rate of the national average.
Tasmania has also increased public hospital staffing more than any other state, including boosting the nursing workforce almost three times the national average.
The average salary for public hospital staff has increased by 7.6 per cent, compared to the national average of 5 per cent.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, welcomed the report, saying the Tasmanian Government’s record investment into health is delivering better outcomes for Tasmanians.
“As a result of our investment we are growing our frontline, opening more beds and building world-class facilities more than ever before,” Minister Barnett said.
“Tasmania has more healthcare workers per capita than any other state – and we will continue to grow our workforce with active recruitment campaigns underway to employ more nurses, doctors, paramedics and allied health professionals.
“We have opened 298 more hospital beds, with upgrades ongoing at each of our major hospitals to provide more beds for those in need.
“At the heart of these improvements are our incredible, hard-working health care workers. We say to these health care workers, our Government appreciates you, we back you, and we thank you.
“We will continue to increase resourcing and recruitment so that we can build a better health system, and ensure Tasmanians have the access to health care they deserve.”
The Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future includes a huge cash and staff injection to the Royal Hobart Hospital, the biggest renovation of the Launceston General Hospital ED in four decades, and transformative upgrades to the North West Regional Hospital and the Mersey Community Hospital.
