Staff it, support it, value it - Tasmania needs a health system that works
Tasmania needs a health system that works.
That means properly staffing, supporting and valuing the life-saving contribution nurses and midwives make every day.
Across the state, nurses and midwives have taken strike action this week to stand up for Tasmanians and demand a health system that is properly staffed and properly resourced.
Premier Rockliff, Treasurer Abetz and Minister Archer should do the same.
Instead, after almost six months of negotiations, the Tasmanian Liberal Government failed to put an offer on the table that ensures nurses and midwives have the staffing, support and workplace conditions they need to safely care for patients.
Tasmania's health system is already under enormous pressure, with overcrowded emergency departments, chronic understaffing, ambulance ramping, growing elective surgery backlogs - the list goes on.
Yet, Treasurer Abetz is cutting $700 million from health and Health Minister Bridget Archer is backing him in.
Do the Liberals really think you can keep cutting staff and resources from a health system already at breaking point and expect patients not to feel the consequences?
After 13 years of Liberal waste, Treasurer Abetz is treating Tasmania's healthcare professionals as another line item to cut from the budget.
