More Tasmanians requiring urgent health care will be treated in their own homes, reducing ambulance and hospital time, as the Tasmanian Liberal Government continues its plan to provide new and innovative health care.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced in a Tasmanian-first, that a re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government will introduce Paramedic Practitioners roles and change the law to allow them to prescribe certain medications.
"This will mean more Tasmanians can receive immediate treatment on the spot in their own homes, and not require an ambulance transfer to hospital," the Premier said.
"This change will not only save our paramedics time on the road and reduce pressure on our emergency departments, but it will mean Tasmanian families receive the care they need, sooner.
"A re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government will also support Registered Nurses to upskill by providing scholarships to gain their Master of Nurse Practitioners qualifications, boosting capacity within the Tasmanian Health System.
"We will also increase employment opportunities for Nurse Practitioners by incentivising private practices to grow their workforce, particularly in rural and regional areas."
Nurse Practitioners are qualified to provide early intervention for acute and chronic conditions, decreasing hospital admission and readmission rates, and improving follow-up care by providing services close to where patients live and work.
"Upskilling our paramedics and nurses is a vital step forward for our health workforce and supports our plan to improve access to health care for Tasmanian families, no matter where they live," the Premier said.
"Not only will it improve recruitment and retention but it provides a rewarding career path for our health professionals in their own State so they can operate at the peak of their scope of practice."
While Paramedic Practitioners and Nurse Practitioners are not substitutes for doctors, they are able to practice autonomously at an advanced level, including diagnostics, referrals and prescribing, and will become a complementary and important addition to our Tasmanian Health Service.
The Liberal team is offering: a clear plan, a united team, and the leadership to get on with it.
While Labor and the Greens argue, we've been delivering better healthcare, more housing, and responsible cost-of-living relief.
A Liberal majority Government is the only way to keep Tasmania moving forward with certainty, stability, and efficiency.
This election comes down to one choice: a strong Liberal team with a real plan or another merry-go-round of chaos and compromise.
Let's get on with it.
Let's finish the job for Tasmania.
